Madison Wuu

A life-changing mentorship made possible by the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact

There's something truly special about being a Dartmouth student. Perhaps it's the tight-knit community, the rural setting, or the quirky, fun traditions that stick with you long after graduation. Whatever it is, what I've learned is that one thing is certain: the bond you form as a Dartmouth student stays with you for life.

If any first-year student were to ask me for my biggest piece of advice about Dartmouth, it would undoubtedly be to take advantage of the alumni network while you're here—it's incredible. Dartmouth really does have one of the strongest alumni networks of any college. No matter your age or where you are in the world, meeting a fellow Dartmouth alum sparks an instant connection—a bond that comes from simply being part of this community. Older alumni love staying connected with current students. They enjoy learning what's new in their community, hearing fresh perspectives, and sharing their wisdom in ways that truly benefit students.

I previously wrote about a summer internship I did with a Dartmouth alum as a graduating high school senior, before I even started at Dartmouth (click here to read more). Since then, I've met mentors who have welcomed me into their offices, shared advice, and connected me with other successful professionals in the film and entertainment world.

During my internship here in New York with Asian CineVision, funded by the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact, each student is randomly assigned a Dartmouth mentor. I was lucky to be paired with Matthew. While the program asks us to check in with our mentors weekly, Matthew and I actually started talking on the phone before my internship even began. We clicked immediately, and those early conversations set the tone for an incredible mentorship.

Matthew graduated from Dartmouth in 1979 and brings extensive experience, along with a wealth of knowledge and guidance that has been incredibly helpful. Something interesting he shared with me is that most people in this line of work don't have a linear path; at some point, everyone gets a "break" that sets them on their way. He walked me through his own journey, offering practical advice on how to carry yourself in the industry and succeed.

I haven't met him in person yet, but even through our phone conversations, there's something about the way he speaks that feels genuinely sincere and kind. Matthew is one of the most generous, kind-hearted, and humble mentors I've ever worked with, and a man involved in many different pursuits. Whenever I pick up the phone to talk with him and catch up, he might be speaking with a production company about producing his family documentary, driving on a four-hour road trip, or chatting with me after a long day at the office while feeding his dogs.

Given his many years of experience and broad professional network, Matthew and I sat down to brainstorm ways he could help me make the most of my time in the city. Together, we created a Google spreadsheet filled with ideas and potential connections. Through it, Matthew introduced me to several people, ranging from directors to college friends, including a longtime friend of his named Guy.

Matthew also shared stories about their time together at Dartmouth and how, over the years, they've remained close friends. Hearing those stories made me reflect on my own friendships at Dartmouth and how they will likely become lifelong relationships—people I can rely on as I grow older, celebrate milestones with, and support through different stages of life.

Guy met with me three times while I was in the city—once over food, once when he met my parents during their visit, and once at a conference hosted by Asia Society on U.S.–China relations. He also connected me with the president of the Dartmouth Club of New York, and I even got to sit in on an official meeting—more on that in a future blog post, so stay tuned!

Truly a fascinating lineup of speakers!

What strikes me most about Guy is his intellectual curiosity, which extends far beyond his professional field. Although he works in finance, we connected on many levels beyond that. Through our conversations, we exchanged perspectives and shared life advice, learning a great deal from each other.

An evening of stories, advice, and good food with Guy.

Even younger Dartmouth alumni rave about the strength of the network after graduation. During my time here, I went to a Super Bowl party with some of my sister's friends from Dartmouth who now live in the city, and they talked about how fun it is to live in New York after graduating while still being surrounded by many of their closest college friends.

I love Dartmouth, so I've always felt a little nervous about the idea of graduating and suddenly taking on all the responsibilities of adult life. But doing this internship has given me a small glimpse of what that transition can look like. In many ways, I feel like I've been "adulting" a bit already, and hearing their perspective was really reassuring. They described living in New York as an extension of what it feels like to be at Dartmouth—just with more freedom to choose how you spend your time and who you spend it with.

I love New York!

Before coming to college, I was quite timid when talking to adults. I found it intimidating to speak with people who had much more life experience than I did, and I worried about saying the wrong thing or being judged. But being at Dartmouth—a place where you're encouraged to take your professors out for lunch every term and get to know them beyond just the professional level—and meeting mentors as wonderful as Matthew, Guy, and Jethro has been invaluable. These experiences have helped my confidence grow when engaging with people who have more experience than I do.

When I called Matthew while wrapping up my internship, he spoke passionately about the special community Dartmouth creates. He said, "Feeling a sense of belonging to something larger than yourself is a wonderful thing. When people think about Dartmouth, that's how they feel."

He went on to say that, despite the nearly 50-year difference between when we were at the school and the technological changes and ways the world has evolved, one thing remains constant: the spirit. When he and Guy talked about it, they told me, "It's nice to see that spirit is alive and well in someone like you."

Now that my internship has come to an end, I will miss talking with Matthew over the phone each week and exchanging updates. I truly mean it when I say that one of the greatest parts of this internship has been my relationship with him. I'm so grateful to the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact for connecting us. He has been such a supportive and steady presence throughout, and truly the best mentor I could have asked for!

This experience has also reminded me how genuine these mentorships really are. The relationships I've built are built on trust and mutual support—I know I can count on them, and they can count on me. In fact, I've even invited Matthew and Guy to visit me in Hanover during Sophomore Summer!

Now that I'm in college, I truly understand the importance of engaging with adults. Putting yourself out there and having meaningful conversations allows you to learn so much about the world, different careers, and perspectives you might never encounter otherwise. When you open up and speak from the heart, connections naturally develop. And you might be surprised at how many people—especially Dartmouth alumni—are willing to support you, simply because you're part of this wonderful community.