UGA Mentor Profile: Cale Ledford (AB ’24) and Michael Trujillo (ABJ ’05)
UGA Mentor Profile: Cale Ledford (AB ’24) and Michael Trujillo (ABJ ’05)
Forging connections that have expanded professional networks and continued beyond graduation are some of the benefits of the UGA Mentor Program, according to recent graduate Cale Ledford (AB ’24) and his mentor, Michael Trujillo (ABJ ’05).
The two first connected in the mentor program during Ledford’s senior year and have stayed in touch well beyond the original 16-week commitment. In fact, Ledford met with Trujillo in Washington, D.C., just this week when Trujillo was visiting on business. Ledford is a staff assistant for U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and Trujillo is a manager for Catholic Relief Services, creating advocacy programs to eradicate poverty.
“The UGA Mentorship Program was one of my favorite things that I did in college,” said Ledford, who graduated with a degree in public relations and certificates in Public Affairs Communications, as well as Personal and Organizational Leadership.
The following is a Q&A with Ledford and Trujillo:
Grady College: What motivated you to register as a mentor in the UGA Mentor Program?
Ledford: I took the Career Explorations class with Dean Davis when I was a sophomore, and he required that we sign up for the the mentorship program as a class assignment. That’s what originally peaked my interest, and I had three or four mentors over the course of my time at UGA. I was paired with Michael my entire senior year.
Trujillo: I was invited to participate in the UGA Mentor Program by the staff at Grady College and other board members of the Grady Alumni Board. I wanted to share my experiences with students.
GC: How has your mentor impacted your personal or professional growth?
Ledford: Michael has been very reassuring and supportive about everything that I wanted to do. He’s found every way possible to try and get me to where I wanted to go. At one point, I debated going to New York City. Michael actually got some of his friends who live in New York City together on a Zoom call with me and I asked them questions for about an hour. It was awesome, and Michael orchestrated the whole thing.
Trujillo: A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to meet with Sen. Warnock’s office through my work, thanks to Cale. How cool is it that Cale is now able to open a door for us by meeting with Sen. Warnock? As a mentor, you think that you are giving them your advice and your counsel, but they are also giving you opportunities and awareness when they graduate.
GC: What have you learned about yourself through your participation in the program?
Ledford: I have learned that I match really well with someone who has a similar personality to myself: someone who’s extroverted, who is a go-getter, who is outgoing and motivated. Michael and I are honestly really similar. We cut up all the time, and we have a really good dynamic where we switch back-and-forth from the serious to the silly.
Trujillo: I learned that while I may not have the exact job my mentee is looking to get, I do have wisdom to share about my own career path and connections to share.
GC: What is your most significant takeaway from this connection?
Ledford: I think the most significant takeaway is the amount of confidence that Michael helps give me. I was really discouraged when I was applying for jobs. Getting a job on Capitol Hill can be really competitive, but Michael was always very supportive and reassuring. I just had to believe in myself and I had to work hard.
Trujillo: It is a mutual partnership based on respect and trust. I was surprised about the amazing and deep questions that Cale asked me. He made me critically think about the career decisions I made.
GC: Why should others participate in the UGA Mentor Program?
Ledford: I always tell people to join the UGA Mentor Program because I feel like it was one of the most rewarding experiences that I got to do in college, especially with Michael. I would say do it for not just for the purpose of networking, but for the purpose of building a relationship. Do it for the purpose of being able to really have somebody that can be in your corner not just in a professional way, but also just in any way that they possibly can be.
Trujillo: People should participate in the UGA Mentor Program because it’s a great opportunity to provide your perspective on your personal and professional life to someone who is about to embark on their post grad life. You also get to have that first-hand experience of interacting with UGA students who are full of life and optimism!
Visit the UGA Mentor website and register to become a student mentee or an alumni mentor.
There are several dozen Grady College alumni waiting to be paired with Grady College students.
Editor: Sarah Freeman, freemans@uga.edu