How one phone call changed this student’s career perspective

February 13, 2026
Portrait of UVA student Ayat Boumahd

Third-year student Ayat Boumahdi is a career peer educator at the UVA Career Center. But when it came to her own future, she turned to alumni through Virginia Alumni Mentoring for guidance. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

Ayat Boumahdi heard her University of Virginia classmates talking about Goldman Sachs internships and pre-law timelines, and she had one thought: “What am I supposed to be doing with my time right now?”

Her nerves weren’t caused by a lack of direction. Boumahdi knew she cared about social policy. But as a third-year student in 鶹ƽ Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, she had come to see how interconnected policy issues are, like how consumer data laws intersect with broadband access and education policy have connections with economic development.

While it felt like her peers had already identified their niche interests, Boumahdi worried about choosing one lane too early. “It felt like everyone had picked their path,” she said. “But narrowing too soon felt like oversimplifying problems that don’t exist in isolation.”

But on a November evening, a 30-minute phone call with a stranger changed her perspective on how to navigate the tension between staying open to possibilities and building a focused career.

Portrat of Alexandra Broughton

Alexandra Broughton, a Class of 2024 graduate, works at a global consulting firm. As a fourth-year student, she worked with the Career Center to prepare for the interview that landed her the job. (Contributed photo)

That stranger was Alexandra Broughton, a 2024 UVA graduate with degrees in media studies and foreign affairs, now working as a consultant helping clients solve business and operational challenges at a global consulting firm. Boumahdi found her through Virginia Alumni Mentoring, a platform that connects current students with UVA alumni for one-on-one career conversations and guidance.

It was meant to be a quick call. Boumahdi wanted to better understand what consulting was really like – she heard it was the “main thing” public policy students do after graduation, but she wasn’t sure it aligned with her values. Broughton’s profile stood out because her major at UVA didn’t scream “consultant.”

“Her career didn’t directly align with her major, which stood out to me because it demonstrated how expertise can be transferable,” Boumahdi said.

Virginia Alumni Mentoring is a great place to get vulnerable

The call lasted more than half an hour. They kept it casual – no Zoom meeting, just a phone conversation that felt more like talking to a friend than networking.

“She had such a welcoming attitude,” Boumahdi said. “She centered the conversation in a way that felt deeply human.”

Broughton didn’t pretend to have all the answers. She talked about her current projects, admitting she was still learning a lot along the way.

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“When I was a student, I knew what I was interested in and passionate about, but not always how those interests would translate into a career,” Broughton said. Her authenticity resonated with Boumahdi in a way a LinkedIn profile never could.

“Alexandra showed me that a career doesn’t determine whether someone remains engaged with their passions, but rather how they choose to carry their passions into their work,” Boumahdi said. “The substance of policy work isn’t dictated by a job title – it’s about how you step into a role and apply your values.”

Broughton’s willingness to mentor came from her own experience being guided. As a fourth-year student, she had worked as a marketing intern for the UVA Career Center. When she faced a consulting case interview on a tight timeline, she turned to Brendan Boler, the faculty director of integrated career education and an assistant professor of public policy, for preparation.

“He walked me through frameworks, shared practical tips and helped build my confidence,” Broughton said. “That preparation led to my first job out of school.”

Candid of Ayat Boumahdi working with a student

Boumahdi helps a fellow student during her shift as a career peer educator in the Georges Student Center. She regularly encourages students to take advantage of career resources like Virginia Alumni Mentoring. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

Now, about a year and a half out of college, Broughton volunteers through Virginia Alumni Mentoring to guide current students navigating similar uncertainties.

“I joined Virginia Alumni Mentoring because I know how overwhelming the job search can feel,” Broughton said. “Having someone share what a job is really like can make it much easier to clarify your interests. It’s the kind of perspective you can’t really get from a website.”

For Boumahdi, who works as a Career Peer Educator helping other students with resume and career questions, the experience reinforced what she tells her peers.

“Virginia Alumni Mentoring is a great place to get vulnerable,” she said. “These people do it voluntarily. They’re giving you the real.”

Broughton and Boumahdi haven’t scheduled another call yet, but they’ve kept the door open.

“Virginia Alumni Mentoring is a meaningful way for alumni to stay connected to the University while directly supporting students and recent graduates as they navigate career and life decisions,” Broughton said. “It’s rewarding, impactful and reinforces the strength of the UVA community.”

Media Contacts

Renee Grutzik

University News Associate Office of University Communications

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