Bahram Bansidar

“From even before I was accepted into the M&T program, still waiting to hear back, to deciding where to go, trying to navigate financial aid and selecting first semester classes, orienting to a new campus far from home, connecting with upperclassmen for advice, selecting my majors, applying to internships, studying abroad, submatriculating into a masters program, and accepting a full-time employment offer at Microsoft, January was - as still is - the advisor and friend I never knew I needed but would not have survived without. 

Before even matriculating, January helped me weigh my options and evaluate the pros and cons of each of my options. She provided frank and clear advice, helped me get in touch with the resources I needed at the school, set me up with current students to talk about experiences, and most of all was a sympathetic ear during a stressful and at times frustrating process. 

In the weeks and month leading up to my first semester, January was in contact ensuring I knew what to expect for my first semester, helping me navigate first-semester class selection, and organizing the torrents of information provided by my alma mater so that I would not miss deadlines. 

Once on campus, she helped me devise a four-year plan to ensure I had a path to success where each semester was well balanced while fulfilling all of my requirements for an on-time graduation while maintaining flexibility for plan changes. She also helped plan from day one for study abroad as well as easing the load during semesters where extra-academic load would be added such as during recruitment for full-time jobs. 

Throughout my time at Penn, January regularly met with me to update my plan and make sure I was on track - but the meetings were more than just that. She also regularly checked in on my person and mental state, making sure I was handling stress well, taking advantage of extracurriculars, and also enjoying my time at school.  

As school progressed she ensured that I paid attention to deadlines and was prepared in order to take advantage of study abroad as well as internships - both requiring a great deal of preparation and foresight to get the most out of. With her guidance, I was able to easily fulfill my dream of studying abroad in Argentina while completing rigorous major requirements. Similarly, January's foresight, I was able to be prepared and take full advantage of summer internships each summer which helped set me up for success in my early career. 

During my 3rd year, January continued to work with me as I decided to submatriculateinto Penn's 4+1 master's program. She helped me evaluate my options, talk to alumni who had made similar choices, and re-arrange classes in my now 5-year plan to make sure I was still on schedule. 

Finally, during my last year, she helped me prepare for fulltime recruiting by ensuring I understood timelines, had resources to talk to and learn from and was ready to hit the ground running. I felt confident and prepared going into a typically stressful phase. Throughout, she regularly checked in on me to make sure I was doing ok and had the resources I needed. She also helped me bounce back from setbacks and stay focused until I eventually landed the position I wanted. 

In summary, throughout my academic career, January wore many hats - advisor, planner, advocate, support system, career coach, motherly figure, and so much more. Looking back, I can say with confidence that thanks to her guiding hand, I achieved more, got more out of, and had a better experience at Penn than I could have otherwise hoped to have had. I could not be more thankful for January's guidance or recommend her more highly for anyone looking to get the most out of their college career.”