Previously a HR/People Specialist for a small privately owned business, I pivoted into working for a local city government with a population of almost one million. I love interacting with and helping people (it’s how I get my zoomies out). My interests include trying new restaurants, window shopping, casual gaming, journaling, walkable cities, and petting all the animals! Being in a transitional part in my life myself, I hope to be able to support others who are finding it difficult navigating the many thoughts and possibilities of life.
❗Please send me a LinkedIn message to book time! ❗

Hi! I’m Temay, a designer from Minnesota now based in Japan. I previously worked as a UX Engineer at an IoT company, and I currently work as a UX Researcher at a health tech company, where we use AI to help validate predictive models for menopause research. If you’re interested in studying or working abroad, UX engineering, blending design with computer science, or designing for health and AI, I’d love to chat! Outside of work, I enjoy drawing, creating videos, volunteering, practicing Japanese traditional archery, playing Nintendo games, and co-hosting a podcast about webtoons.

Hi! I am a marketer and data analyst with a background in Art History and Information Science. I have been working for around 11-12 years at large American and Canadian companies such as Loblaws, Rogers Communications, Cineplex, and Invesco. My career spans roles in market research, marketing science and digital marketing. I am currently the Vice President of Growth Marketing at MSCI in New York, though I am based in Toronto and work remotely. In my spare time, I love tea & coffee brewing, the Detroit Lions, yoga & fitness, a good book, and the occasional video game.

Hi I'm Ella, an early-career project manager based in Seattle. I'm passionate about leadership (even minored in it during college) and mentorship and how they intertwine at different phases of a career. I studied marketing & human resources, and still love both fields even if I haven't pursued them professionally. Outside of work you can find me at the bouldering gym, making fun mocktails, taking photos of nature, or trying out as many local cafes as I can. I love collecting anything shiba-related and cheering on my favorite sports teams. Excited to connect!

Message me on LinkedIn to book!

I went into the field with no mentorship or guidance, and so much of my journey was through a lot of unnecessary trial and error. I’d rather not see that happen to you! I find fulfillment in giving back, in helping you navigate this space, and in sharing my experiences so that it might guide you in the right direction 🙂

Hey, I’m Marvin! I came to the US as an international student at a small, non-target school in Washington state, and cold emails are how I got my first real opportunities, like interning at Microsoft and working with startups various startups. I’m a design engineer at Ashby now and do design consulting for early and mid-stage startups. If you’re figuring out internships, reaching out to people, or want general advice on anything related to what I do, I’d love to help! Outside of work it’s games, art, and cooking, and back in high school my music somehow blew up for a few years haha

hi, i'm marcus! i'm all about marketing, early career navigation, community building, and pokemon. let's talk :) Please reach out through LinkedIn to chat or book a meeting!

I'm an ex-academic researcher turned user-centered design practitioner in government. I care about helping prospective grad school applicants refine their career goals, as well as mentoring new grad students to navigate the ups and downs of academic research. I mentor students to build on their strengths and explore new career opportunities. I am keen to have discussions about what excites you about design, whether you're consciously practicing design, or just starting to learn about how to apply it to your practice. Looking forward to connecting!

I am a non-traditional SWE without a degree whatsoever. I used to run a carwrap shop and was an electrician before I landed my role in 2023. I like manga, anime, weightlifting, snowboarding and mentoring. I mentor because it's my way of giving back to the community since I was the TikTok to tech pipeline.

❗Please send me a LinkedIn message to book time! ❗

Hi! I'm Lyn. I've been in the games industry for 7+ years now. My focus is on Community Management, but happy to cover all things marketing and publishing-related! In my free time, I am a hobby game dev making small games with my friends. I am also a co-chair for IGDA Neurodivergent in Games SIG, a Certified Peer Support Specialist, and a mental health advocate. As the first in my family to attend college, having grown up in poverty and to immigrant parents, I am passionate in working with young adults navigating similar paths and looking for a little help along the way. Nice to meet you~

Professionally, I am a UI/UX designer at IBM. I design IBM enterprise SaaS products, ranging from business intelligence to AI Assistants and Agentic AI experiences. I am a first-generation, Filipino Canadian woman based in Toronto, Canada. I hold a Bachelor of Arts from York University with a major in Economics. As someone who didn’t come from a technical STEM background, I relentlessly sought help from many mentors. They were very generous in their knowledge, time, support, and their confidence in me as a person and in my craft. Determined to give back to the design community, I hope to be a helpful guide in your journey whether it be a single coffee chat or many! Outside of design, I like to spend my time doing a couple of activities: spend time with friends and family, dance in heels, pilates, cook, collect blind box figures, keychains, & stationery, read romantasy books, deepen my spirituality practice, upgrade my home coffee & matcha setup, admire my plants, and more!

Hi there! Beyond the office, you might find me competing with the best on a Teamfight Tactics stream, improving my squat PR, perfecting my pour-over coffee technique, or building a mechanical keyboard. I've been mentoring peers since I was an upperclassman student at UC Irvine and get fulfillment through providing unsugarcoated advice that I wish I heard throughout undergrad and the early years of my career. I'm happy to chat about my pivot from accounting to consulting, my decade-long involvement in the Esports industry, or anything in between!

Hi my name's Ryan! I have a diverse career background, operating across project management, finance, and now as Chief of Staff at a PE-backed SaaS. I strongly believe meaningful career acceleration and mobility is possible for anyone with the right mindset and sustained effort, and that experience builds impactful perspective agnostic of the role. That’s why I love mentoring ambitious people to build real leverage through ownership and authentic networking. Outside of that, I also train boxing/Muay Thai, game (usually Val or League), and spend time with loved ones and friends!

Currently leading marketing efforts for the Epic Games Store as a Campaign Program Manager via creative agency The New Blank. Previously at PlayStation as a Technical Program Manager overseeing R&D, Web, and App teams. Happy to discuss the business/corporate side of Gaming, and would love to learn from the dev community!Currently enjoying Final Fantasy XIV and mobile otome games.My favorite boba drink is mango sago and Thai milk tea. Love anime/manga and anything cute. Open to boba/anime suggestions :)

I’m a software developer who believes anyone can make it, no matter where they start. I wasn’t a star student or the “perfect” fit on paper — but I learned to break things down line by line and figure them out step by step. Now I love helping others do the same. Outside of tech, I spend my time dancing, moving, and finding balance in life. If you ever feel stuck, I’m here to remind you that you can get there.

Hi! Bay Area transplant living in The Biggest Little City in the World. I’m into all things Bay-related and cheer for all of our sports teams, especially the 5-Time Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers. I’m passionate about being a mentor and helping people however I can because I’ve been fortunate to have had others throughout my life do the same for me. I’m inspired by the African proverb “each one teach one” and strongly believe in the words of Mary Church Terrell, who said to “lift as we climb”, so I aim to follow the footsteps of those before me and to pave the way for those after me.

Hey there! I'm Mike and I've been an Instructional Designer within multiple L&D teams for roughly 10 years now. Over the course of that time, I've honed my craft of combining elements of compassionate coaching with my love for expressing my creativity in multiple mediums. This has allowed me to develop content, facilitate training sessions, and create high-visibility presentations for large-scale projects and even high-level members of senior leadership. I also generally have a wealth of professional and personal life experience that I try and leverage to help people however I can!

It's nice to meet you 😊👋🏻. I'm a Product Designer by day and Marketing Director by night. I love combining my 5 years of diverse experience in both fields to help large companies, local clients, and non-profit organizations alike retain their communities. I loved it so much that I recently founded a company that'll let me spearhead both. More on that soon!I became a Student Mentor to help ambitious youth, like yourself, discover (mostly) free resources and learn the technicalities behind accelerating your marketing or design career. Feel free to ask me about anything job search related.

Bill is a 10-year games industry veteran who majored in English and worked as a corporate recruiter and copywriter before growing into creative direction. He sympathizes with people who feel like they're still trying to find their way.

Hi, I’m Vivian! I’m a first-gen professional passionate about helping college students navigate their career journeys and unlock their potential. Outside of mentoring, you’ll find me working out, trying new recipes in the kitchen, traveling to new cities, or hanging out with my pup, Dior. My mission is to empower you with the tools and confidence to crush your goals and build a future you’re proud of. I’ve been in your shoes before—let’s figure it out together! 💪✨

I never intended to become a product marketing manager in the tech industry, but somehow I fell into it and I love it! It seems like a lot of my passions have developed this way – a happy accident. When I'm not busy crafting positioning and narrative decks for product launches, you can usually find me with a cup of coffee by the window to absorb some vitamin D or on the tennis court trying to pretend like I'm good at the sport 😂

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Recently I've completed a Master of Science in Information Systems from University of Washington Seattle. Currently I work as a Data Analyst at Lithia & Driveway. In my role, I spend time maintaining the Power BI dashboards I've built over the years, as well as figuring out how to automate processes using Alteryx and Power Automate. My previous experiences were in finance and ad tech. My bachelor's was essentially a department that mixed math and CS also at UW Seattle. My hobbies are lifting, following business and economic news, watching football, baseball, traveling, kpop, and Pokemon.

Hi there! I’ve combined my love for storytelling, innovation, and inclusion to drive high-impact programs for more than four years. My work has generated over $300K in sponsorships, secured strategic partnerships, and streamlined workflows to save hundreds of project management hours.Currently, I’m focused on driving IP strategy projects that empower creative teams to bring iconic gaming worlds, such as League of Legends and VALORANT, to life through innovation and inclusivity. I’m passionate about mentorship, equity, and making program management accessible. My mission is to share knowledge, empower others, and help people build meaningful careers!

I have a love for art, anime, and all things nature! When I’m not in the lab, you can find me exploring new foods, shopping, drawing, or enjoying time with friends and family.

Hi everyone! I'm based in Minnesota, but love traveling and working abroad. 🌸 Navigating your career path or facing challenges as a student can be overwhelming and stressful. I'm a strong believer that there's many different paths one can take, and I'm here to support you on your journey! ☕️ Outside of work, I strive for a simple life 🙂. I enjoy nature walks, photography, and I'm obsessed with loose-tea and, of course, boba! I like video games and watching dramas. On the side, I also co-host a podcast about webtoons with my friends!

Hi everyone my name is Aidan, and I am a senior at Colby College studying economics. I'm on the men's varsity tennis team and have been playing sports my entire life. I'm from New Jersey and love going to the beach with my friends or going to watch a good movie. Career wise, I recently interned last summer at L'Oréal in their Luxury Couture division as a Digital Marketing Intern and will be returning full time after graduation. If you ever need advice with your marketing career, student life, or athletics, feel free connect with me on LinkedIn or shoot me an email!

Hi! I'm York. I'm currently in the EV space but interested all technology. I've made a few career pivots in my life so hoping to share whatever I can about navigating through different industries and different job roles. Outside of work, my free time is taken up by sports (mostly golf right now), board games, and a 10 year old toy poodle (and my wife of course!)

I enjoy helping people grow into sales and leadership roles, empowering them to find their voice along the way. My mentors provided me with invaluable social skills and tools, and I’m committed to paying it forward. Currently, I’m sharpening up on charisma, crisis management, and leadership development. If you're into EDM, late '90s pop, great food, or binge-watching TV, let’s chat!

Other than work, you can find me competitively swimming, rock climbing, or lifting! Along with that, I'm passionate about singing & music. My little fun fact is that before I went into marketing, I was originally in college studying Vocal Performance! Please reach out via LinkedIn to book a time.

I am a growth-oriented marketing leader with over 6 years of experience specializing in retention, lifecycle strategy, and base management. I am deeply passionate about mentoring individuals looking to transition into marketing or those eager to understand the modern marketing landscape. I focus on coaching mentees on how the field has evolved from creative execution to a data-centric discipline, helping them master the technical skills and cross-functional leadership required to build a successful career in today’s tech-driven market.

Hi! My name is Vivian! I am a genetic counseling graduate student at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX with a strong background in human genetics and public health. As an underrepresented student in the field of genetic counseling, I have a commitment toward increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the health professions. My graduate research focuses on genetic testing and informed consent. I support students interested in applying for graduate school and pursuing a career in healthcare, science, and research. In my free time, I enjoy singing, dancing, and painting.

At my core, I'm someone who loves storytelling in all forms, whether it be books, video games, or film! As someone who transitioned from academia to the video game industry, a lot of my journey was a lot of trial and error and talking with tons of other people. Now, I'm using my ever-growing knowledge to help inform all you wonderful folks! Outside of my professional life, I'm someone who lives for food and am always on the lookout for new restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries to try in LA! One of my favorite books is Babel by RF Kuang, and my favorite franchise of all time is Pokémon!

Hello there! I am based in Canada and graduated from Dalhousie with a Masters in Applied Computer Science. I joined BobaTalks because I'm incredibly passionate about mentoring and deeply believe in its transformative power. I'm excited to share my experiences, offer insights, and engage in meaningful conversations. My goal is to foster an environment where we can set meaningful goals and strive towards growth. Topics: women in tech, setting goals, resume building, imposter syndrome, understanding organizational dynamics, feedback/performance reviews, job search strategies, interview prep.

Hi, I'm Apoorva Jaiswal — a curious, ever-growing woman who finds joy in both the outdoors and the indoors. You'll find me hiking, cooking fusion recipes, or deep in a book just as easily as you'll find me learning Japanese and Korean on Duolingo. I love people, cultures, and cuisines — and I truly believe that living with curiosity is what makes life richer. Community means everything to me, and I'll always remind you — we'll figure it out, together!

Hi! I'm Hester - I'm an accountant but I'm absolutely inept at doing taxes! My specialty is working with companies that are in the process or preparing to IPO. When not at work, you can find me annoying my dog (either forcing him to take pictures or go on a walk), baking, or doing some form of physical activity (frequently out running or hiking). Chat with me about moving advice, accounting careers, travel, or general life.

Hello! I'm Michelle and I'm currently a Quantitative User Researcher at Activision. I've interned at Activision back in 2023 and 2024 as well as interning at Epic Games in 2025! I don't have a traditional games educational background but I do know what it's like to be your own advocate breaking into the industry and getting internships! I got here through the goodwill of other mentors so I'd love to give back!

I’m a storyteller, gamer, and lifelong learner who blends creativity and strategy to build exceptional products and empower others. As an award winning CSP-PO and also a Therapeutic Game Master, I thrive on solving complex problems, sparking innovation, and creating meaningful experiences—whether in the boardroom or at the gaming table. I am also currently pursuing a PhD in understanding how online communities can support mental health. I’m passionate about using technology and play to connect and inspire. Ready to level up your product management game? Let’s make it happen!

Hi, I’m Kathy! I’m a proud first-generation college graduate from UC San Diego with a BS in Business Psychology. Growing up in City Heights, San Diego, as the daughter of hardworking Vietnamese immigrants, shaped my passion for equity and building strong communities. Outside of work, I enjoy learning about personal finance, discovering new food and drink spots, and spending time with my husky, Yuki.

I'm so excited to give back as a mentor and become a support system as you grow into your best self. Topics include: interview prep, resumes, recovering from a layoff, career pivots, general career/life advice or just being a listening ear. My goal for our BobaTalks is to help guide you toward defining and achieving what success looks like for you and having a great time along the way. Outside of work, I enjoy roller skating, baking/cooking new recipes, traveling, people watching, and most recently karaoke and Bananagrams. Let's do this!

Moving to the US as an international student is exciting but comes with its own set of challenges. I've been there, and I’d love to connect if you’re navigating this journey—whether you're applying for internships or full-time jobs, or looking to start a career in HR, I’d love to support you in interview preparation, resume reviews, and networking tips.

I’d also love to hear about your interests; here are some of mine. I love making handmade art (I even started a tiny business during covid!), I’m a huge fan of horror movies; if you have recommendations, send them my way.

Hobbies include tennis, muay thai, lifting, and overall staying active/outdoors. Trying to pick up leather crafting this year!

Ask me anything about product management, being an international student, early-in-career life, or anything about NEW YORK! Love the city. I occasionally create content on my blog, YouTube, and LinkedIn for people who are early in their careers, and people who want to break into PM. 💜

As a mentor, I’m here to help you become the best version of yourself! By day, I’m a Project Manager based in the SF Bay Area, and on the side, I dive into freelance writing, client consulting, and community service. I’m passionate about supporting underserved communities, writing about the things that bring people together—whether it’s entertainment, music, or shared experiences—and catching live shows whenever I can.When I’m not working or out at a concert, you’ll find me ranking as a KJ main on Valo or testing new champs in Howling Abyss.Come with your questions—I’m ready for whatever you’ve got!