Mentor, faculty and TRIO guide student to the right path
Taylor Olesen graduated May 2026 with an Associate of Arts degree, and will be attending Augsburg University to pursue a career in Social Work. Taylor says the TRIO Student Support Services team, instructor Dr. Marika Reese, and alumna mentor helped her see a future in social work.
Taylor’s advice for prospective students who may not immediately know what they want to do: Just sign up and to take your time. Most people don’t know exactly what they want to be, but the beauty of attending community college is that you have low stakes and a high reward.
It was at Inver Hills Community College where I learned that I wanted to be a social worker.
In May of 2026, I graduated with an Associate of Arts and had originally signed up for school with the intention of an Environmental Science degree. After a summer working in a greenhouse and coming to the realization that I did not enjoy chemistry, I knew I needed to find something that better suited my skills.
As a non-traditional student who started mostly online, I made the decision to attend full time. To this day, it has been the best decision I have made for myself! After settling in and still needing work to support myself with car payments, rent and life in general, I found myself applying for a student worker position. What I saw as just a “job” had turned into an amazing networking experience! I not only got to know my fellow classmates more, but I also learned about the many resources our campus has to offer.
TRIO contributed to Taylor’s success
For example, I ended up working in the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) department. I owe a lot of my success in college to this program. Had it not been for my incredible advisors Jennifer Parker, Lisa Roney, Dylan Mazza and Caitlin Siefkes, the Director of TRIO DCTC Upward Bound and Inver Hills Student Support Services, I don’t believe I would be doing what I am doing today.
It was Jen Parker who said, “Hey, you’ve got great interpersonal and problem-solving skills, have you ever thought about being a social worker?” Without her, I would never have known what a social work degree actually looked like.
A teacher and a mentor
Dr. Marika Reese, Pre-Social Work Instructor
Fast forward to my last semester at Inver Hills and I was signed up for Dr. Marika Reese’s intro to social work class. She could not have been a better professor to teach this class. She was honest, straight forward and encouraged my class to think realistically about our futures.
In addition to attending this class, I was set up with a mentorship program that finds Inver Hills alumni that are in specific fields of work. I was paired with Reyne Branchaud-Linsk, a retired social worker who has been working for over 40 years in nonprofit human service organizations.
Having someone like Dr. Reese who was actively in the field and someone like Reyne who had just retired, I graduated from Inver Hills Community College feeling realistically prepared. As I reflect on my time at Inver, the advice I would give to future students is to just sign up and to take your time. Most people don’t know exactly what they want to be, but the beauty of attending community college is that you have low stakes and a high reward.
I will be attending Augsburg in fall of 2026 for my bachelor’s in social work (BSW) and I am beyond excited! During the summer I will be mentoring for the Upward Bound Summer Program and am thrilled! I am really excited to see where I end up, and I am beyond thankful for all of the support I have received from all of the wonderful, knowledgeable and supportive faculty and staff.
Mentorship program leads to clear career path
Taylor was paired with Reyne Branchaud-Linsk, an Inver Hills Alumna. The mentor match was facilitated by Jennifer Parker with TRIO Student Support Services.
Taylor Olesen with her mentor, alumna Reyne Branchaud-Linsk
Taylor, what made you sign up for the mentorship program. What appealed to you about having a mentor?
Taylor: Jennifer Parker suggested the mentorship program and specifically thought Reyne would be a good match for me. I trusted Jennifer and I wanted support with my career plans. I was considering different areas of study and didn’t want to box myself in. I thought a mentor who was familiar with my interest in social work and youth work would be able to help me decide the next steps transferring from Inver Hills to the right choice for my Bachelor’s Degree.
Reyne, why did you want to be a mentor? Why is the mentorship program important to you?
Reyne: I have been involved in coordinating the mentorship program. Two years ago, I was matched and it was a very positive experience for both of us. We’re still in touch. I valued my experience with Inver Hills and felt that it launched my career, working for over 40 years in nonprofit human service organizations. I hoped that I’d be matched with a student. I wanted to help if I could by sharing experiences and insights that might be helpful.
Taylor, was there a time or conversation that stood out for you?
Taylor: Actually, our first meeting. We met in a lounge area in the Technology and Business Building. We really clicked! We were sharing experiences, interests and more. We had a lot in common. Reyne shared a personal story about reaching a point of burn out in her job three years after her son was born and the changes she needed to make adjusting priorities. It felt like I was matched with someone who could really help me regarding my career.
Reyne: I agree it felt like I was supposed to be here to help you. Originally, you talked about studying youth work at the U of M. I encouraged you to explore that option. But I also thought social work would be worth considering. Coincidentally Augsburg College was on campus. You mentioned talking to the representative and learning about their social work program.
Taylor: Then I went to Augsburg and was so impressed with the match it seemed to be for me. I pursued the resources and a bit later was accepted and will be starting the Bachelor of Social Work at Augsburg.
Reyne: What else about the work we did together?
Taylor’s artwork was used as the cover image for the 2024-2025 Foundation Annual Report.
Taylor: You kept me motivated. We talked about the struggles of this time in Minnesota.
Reyne: Especially with the social work career potential, we talked a bunch about balance and boundaries. Your last semester at Inver was a big one for you. You carried 18 credits. So we concentrated on your priorities and focus. Plus, we updated your resume and written materials to help with your summer employment needs. We talked about art, since we’re both artists and we visited the art show on campus together.
Reyne: I suggested that we continue to meet while you’re at Augsburg.
Taylor: I am so grateful that we’ll stay friends. You’ve been so helpful…inspiring.
Reyne: We both see the value of mentorships. We talked about other ways alumni could be involved with students, especially regarding careers.
Taylor: But it seemed that other students didn’t understand how a mentor could help. I think to link a student and an alumni, it would need to be one-one discussions from faculty and alumni, like Jennifer did with me. Maybe alumni could present career related topics to groups of students and talk about mentorships as a resource.
Taylor: You tailored each meeting to what I was needing at the time. You encouraged me to participate in graduation. I wasn’t into it and you thought I should. And that day was really great for me.
Reyne: I was there and you looked so proud and happy. Graduation was the end and the beginning of the next chapter.
It was at Inver Hills Community College where I learned that I wanted to be a social worker.
For example, I ended up working in the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) department. I owe a lot of my success in college to this program. Had it not been for my incredible advisors Jennifer Parker, Lisa Roney, Dylan Mazza and Caitlin Siefkes, the Director of TRIO DCTC Upward Bound and Inver Hills Student Support Services, I don’t believe I would be doing what I am doing today.
Having someone like Dr. Reese who was actively in the field and someone like Reyne who had just retired, I graduated from Inver Hills Community College feeling realistically prepared. As I reflect on my time at Inver, the advice I would give to future students is to just sign up and to take your time. Most people don’t know exactly what they want to be, but the beauty of attending community college is that you have low stakes and a high reward.
