51�Թ�

51�Թ� senior Ben Feliciano wears many hats: intern, University employee, club president and hopefully one that says “FBI” in the future. He credits his ability to balance all these responsibilities with his participation in the University’s Professional Mentoring Program, which pairs current students with working professionals in their desired career field to develop networking opportunities while still in school. But beyond the networking opportunities, it also leads to friendship and incredible personal growth, as seen with Feliciano’s connection with his current mentor Noah Kraulidis.

“Participating in this program has really shown me how working professionals operate and how to balance your career ambitions with your personal life and time for yourself,” Feliciano says. “I’m learning the skills about how not to just be successful but fulfilled in my career. And that’s why I’d recommend anyone participate.” 

Already working as student support staff in 51�Թ�’s Office of Career Services, Feliciano was encouraged by Career Services Coordinator Caress Okeke to consider the Professional Mentoring Program. the program schedules social hours for potential mentors and mentees to “speed date” and determine which partnership will work best.

“We immediately hit it off and realized we had the right rapport to meet frequently and gain a lot form a mentor-mentee relationship,” says Feliciano’s mentor Noah Kraulidis. “Ben is a really incredible young man with lots of ambition, so it’s been wonderful to see him grow and refine what his career goals are even within the single semester we’ve been paired together.”

Kraulidis currently works as an employer relations manager at National Lewis University, with five previous years working in tech sales, and while he had no prior connection to 51�Թ�, he was compelled to support younger students. 

“I was looking to volunteer and invest in Chicago college students taking classes in the Loop, and I reached out to 51�Թ� and eventually got in touch with their Career Services team,” he says. “There’s a lot of hungry young people in my industry, and what I try to instill in Ben and future mentees is that being successful in your career also means being successful personally. Things like work-life balance, avoiding workout and passion vs. work are important things to get a handle on while your career is just beginning.”

Feliciano initially wanted to enter the police academy after majoring in Criminal Justice, but his conception of what the degree could accomplish beyond law enforcement began to expand once he began taking classes. He thanks Dr. Eddy Green—a 51�Թ� professor who focuses on the sociology of punishment and alternative forms of corrections—for offering a new perspective.

“Every class I’ve had with Dr. Green has allowed new light on what justice looks like in our society and in other parts of the world” he says. 

Feliciano has since added a minor in Finance to his academic schedule, and he spent his Spring 2025 semester interning at the prestigious CME Group in downtown Chicago, where he assisted with cases pertaining to global markets security and stock trading fraud. His long-term goals have shifted to investigating white collar crimes, and he plans to apply as an agent for the FBI or social services after completing a master’s program. 

Even when class isn’t in session, Ben and Noah continue to meet frequently for coffee or lunch, and the experience has compelled Noah to continue with the program and mentor additional 51�Թ� students in the future. According to him, the Professional Mentoring Program is an invaluable service that the University offers.

“Students are getting a personal connection with professionals and employers,” he says. “Those things go a long way with building soft skills, networking skills and tethers for future internships and job opportunities. I can’t recommend it to students enough.”