Building a Relationship
In advance of Hunter Gandy's (C'26) first call with his new mentor, James Brennan (C'00), he was prepared with career questions, professional, and perhaps a bit nervous. None of it was necessary; they spent most of the call simply getting to know each-other, on an approachable, personal basis. Right off the bat, Hunter said 'James not only wanted to help with my career future, but he also wanted to create an understanding and personal relationship with me".
 
With this foundation of trust established, Hunter and James launched into career mode. "My short-range goals," explained Hunter, "were to gain as much insight as I could in the professional fields aligned with my interests." His mentor remembered how challenging he had found that exact pursuit; "When I was in college and in my early 20's I struggled to figure out what my career would be."
 
They homed in on a sales-oriented career, where James brought to bear his own background in financial technology sales.  James has provided Hunter a helpful balance of specifics from his own professional niche alongside a broader purview of non-finance, sales-oriented career.
 
James has over twenty years of experience in sales and account management in the financial technology industry. Since 2009, he has worked at ICE Data Services, rising to Senior Director, Americas and Head of Desktop Sales & Account Management. He has deep insight into technology tools that enhance workflows within the finance industry and manage risks across global markets.
 
Securing an Internship
"James had made it clear from the start that the firm he works for, ICE, did not have interns, so he could not provide a job, but he would help in any other way he could." Hunter dove into networking in the Fall of 2024 with James' guidance on resume preparation and recruiting.
 
But the plot twisted.  Serendipity struck when James' firm – which has never had interns – acquired a firm and absorbed its well-established internship program. To secure an internship role, James took swift action to secure an internship role within his own team. His quick action paid off, as his team was the only within the broader sales department to secure one. James immediately informed his mentee of the opening.
 
"After a phone call with the recruiting coordinator and an interview, I was thankfully able to get the job as the first Desktop Sales Intern. I could not be happier to be working with James." And James' coworkers are "really pumped to work with Hunter and get him ready for a career."
 
James is not going to go easy on Hunter during the internship. He's excited to immerse him in a wide swath of the company's work; "we will throw him into the fire in a rotational program, and I'll have him join me on meetings with our savviest clients on Wall Street and our Energy and Agriculture trading clients."
 
Collaborating on Wrestling for the Next Generation
Outside of the workplace, another bond the mentor and mentee share is deep roots in New Jersey wrestling. Hailing from Pennsville, New Jersey, Hunter was the captain of the wrestling team at nearby Woodstown/Pilesgrove High School, boasting an impressive three-year record of 110-18. Mentor James remains as close as ever to the sport. He coaches the youth wrestling team at the recreation center of Randolph, New Jersey, where he and his family live.
 
Guidance will flow both ways in this mentorship. As is often the case with members of the Penn Mentor program, this mentor sees a wealth of knowledge in his own mentee that he is keen to harness. "I want to lean on Hunter's knowledge from Penn wrestling and coaching at his wrestling club in South Jersey, to make improvements to the Randolph program that I'm involved with… I'd like to tap into his experience as I rebuild the program for my two young sons and their friends."
 
They admit that life's commitments can get in the way, at times, of frequent contact. An expanding team at work, long commutes, parenting two young sons, or the demands of wrestling season and finals, can chip away at availability. But the duo always gets back in the rhythm by prioritizing FaceTime calls every few weeks.  "What impresses me the most is James' finding time to help during his busy workdays. He has always been willing to go the extra mile for me."
 
His mentor shares the sentiment. "Hunter is insightful – and funny – even when he is probably exhausted from class and wrestling. I love his positivity."