Michael’s Story of Mentorship
Path Mentors is proud to showcase the journey of one of our mentees: Michael Que. He has been part of the Path Mentors program for a few years, and will be attending NYU Stern this fall.
Every Path Mentors student’s story begins with a spark of curiosity and a drive to explore. Michael is one such remarkable high school student whose drive and interests were amplified by the transformative mentorship of Path Mentors. Today, we will follow Michael’s footsteps, and see how Path Mentors has helped nurture his passions and guided his goals to new heights.
Michael first started as a student who was interested in computer science and app development. His first mentor in app development helped him with covering the basics of programming to the nuances of app development. Michael’s mere fascination with app development eventually evolved into practical coding skills, leading to the successful launch of multiple iOS and Apple Watch apps. The combination of his own curiosity and hands-on mentorship helped Michael turn his ideas into tangible creations — an experience that instilled confidence and an appetite for more.
Michael’s experience with Path Mentors did not just stop at iOS development. He had the option to have another mentor in another field, and he started working on a finance project. Michael recalled how he lacked finance-focused curriculum and opportunities in the Bay Area, and he found it extremely helpful to work on a project with a finance mentor 1-on-1 on a weekly basis. From learning financial concepts like DCF to receiving hands-on guidance as to internship search and preparation, Michael received a holistic financial education derived from hands-on learning. He recounts his experience:
“My mentor laid the groundwork for everything I know in finance. In an industry that is so secretive and has a high barrier to entry (especially because most programs for high-schoolers don’t offer finance), my mentor was able to effectively introduce me to the concepts for me to be interested in the field. In addition, there were some hard times during college apps and when projects or competitions would get hard. Having a mentor made me feel less lost and kept me motivated because I could be assured that I’m doing something that will pay off.”
From starting an equity research firm with a team of analysts recruited across the nation, to winning regional competitions in finance, Michael has found himself as a pre-eminent rising star in the financial field as a high schooler. With a unique blend of coding and financial acumen, Michael has been able to develop a wide range of skills and perspectives, and most importantly, has had the opportunity to pursue his interests and find what he truly enjoys doing at an early age. Path Mentors’ support extended to his college application process, ensuring that his achievements were highlighted and aligned with his aspirations.
As he prepares himself for NYU Stern and a career in finance, he found his mentorship to have provided him the technical skills and the leadership/management skills that will help differentiate his experience and prepare for his time in college. For example, when he was asked about how Path Mentors has helped him for “college and beyond,” he responded that:
“It set me up for a career in finance. Having now just begun to understand the IB recruitment process. I realized that my skills in finance developed through high school and learning to manage people are so valuable and helped me stand out a lot from my peers.
For example, I was doing stock pitch competitions while most of my peers barely understand what a stock is. It’s definitely given me a significant edge because not only have I figured out what I want to do, but I also have past projects and skills to show for it compared to my peers.”
Path Mentors’ personalized approach, as demonstrated in the support Michael received, can empower students to realize their goals and ambitions. Whether it be app development to finance or creative writing to data science, Path Mentors will help students in every aspect of their education journey and prepare them for what exciting opportunities lie ahead of them in college and beyond.
— Mentor Daniel
Does this article resonate with you? You or a high school student you know could get mentorship from the author of this article or another one of our mentors, each of whom is a graduate of an Ivy League, Stanford, or MIT.
Schedule a free consultation call to explore mentorship and project possibilities that align with your interests.