Think about a person who influenced the direction of your life—a teacher, a boss, a coach. Now, imagine being that person for someone else.
The Toppel Career Center created the Cane2Cane platform to foster a community of mentorship for current students, new graduates, or those looking to develop in their careers.
Over 2,800 alumni, faculty, and friends of the U—representing more than 60 professions and industry sectors—have already joined the platform and more than 2,300 students have met them there.
Currently, as part of their orientation, all first-year students create a Cane2Cane profile on their first day, further increasing the number of students in search of mentors.
Lawnyá Benton, ’09, an Atlanta-based screenwriter, recalls the day a student reached out to her through the portal:
“About three years ago, a junior who was an aspiring screenwriter reached out to me. A few days later, we met over Zoom, and I've been her mentor ever since,” Benton said. “The TV and film industry is not an easy one to navigate, so I always want to help make that journey a little easier and little less lonely for someone else. My mentee graduated last year, and now she’s following her dreams in New York.”
Vanessa Suarez, B.S.C. ’18, the founder of her own marketing agency and president of the Los Angeles Canes Community, has mentored students on multiple occasions, saying each mentorship has been uniquely rewarding:
“I’ve had the privilege of being paired with several students through the Cane2Cane program, and I have absolutely loved my experience,” Suarez said. “It’s been an incredibly rewarding and meaningful way to support the next generation of Canes. Together, we strengthen the Cane legacy!”
“It’s about building a legacy, one conversation at a time,” said Chris Campbell, M.B.A. ’13, founder of the app development firm Campbell Consulting and president-elect of the Atlanta Canes Community. “Cane2Cane gives me the opportunity to pour into the next generation of Canes the same way others once poured into me.”
To meet increased student enrollment in the program, the President’s Council is hosting a Cane2Cane Membership Drive to encourage 500 additional mentors to sign up by the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Now is the time to help someone on their path—become a Cane2Cane mentor today.
