On the debut episode of Professional Launch on WDAY Radio, Ricot Aladin welcomes back longtime mentor, educator, and Professional Launch board member Jane Pettinger for a deep and heartfelt conversation about mentorship, community, and empowering young professionals.

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  [0:00 – 1:00] – Introduction
  Rico introduces the mission of the show and Jane Pettinger’s incredible background in education and mentorship.

  
  

  
  







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  [1:00 – 3:30] – Jane's Early Career & Campus Life
  Jane shares how she got into higher education after working in social services, and her love for the campus environment.

  
  

  
  







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  [3:30 – 5:30] – Lifelong Lessons & Finding Joy in Work
  Jane talks about connection, curiosity, and the importance of having fun—even in retirement.

  
  

  
  







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  [7:00 – 8:45] – Why She Joined Professional Launch
  Jane reflects on why she was drawn to Rico's vision for connecting professionals with students.

  
  

  
  







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  [10:45 – 11:45] – New Initiatives That Make a Difference
  They highlight the Lunch & Learn series and mentoring efforts with new immigrant communities.

  
  

  
  







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  [16:30 – 20:30] – Behind the Scenes: MSUM’s Mentoring Program
  Jane explains how the mentorship program she ran at MSUM was built to provide students with real-world experiential learning.

  
  

  
  







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  [23:30 – 26:15] – Tailoring Mentorship to Student Needs
  Stories of how mentorship helped students pivot, grow, and find clarity in their career paths.

  
  

  
  







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  [28:40 – 31:00] – Bridging the Gap for First-Gen & Rural Students
  Jane offers advice for both students and supervisors on how to build meaningful professional connections.

  
  

  
  







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  [33:15 – 34:30] – How to Find (or Be) a Mentor
  Encouraging advice for anyone who's never had a mentor, and why just asking can open doors.

  
  

  
  







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  [35:00 – End] – Final Words of Wisdom
  Jane and Rico wrap up the episode with a heartfelt reminder: Keep growing, keep giving, keep launching.