Why mentorship matters to Nikolai Streltsov ’19S (MBA)

Having built a career spanning science, business, and consulting, Nikolai Streltsov ’19S (MBA) understands how overwhelming it can feel for students and recent graduates navigating uncertain career paths. That’s exactly why he continues to stay engaged with the University of Rochester community through mentorship.

“I remember what it was like trying to figure everything out during a difficult job market,” he says. “Sometimes just having someone willing to talk can make a huge difference.”

Streltsov began his academic journey studying chemistry at Rutgers University before launching his career in research and development at Corning. While working in materials science and engineering, he gradually found himself drawn toward the business side of innovation and problem-solving, transitioning into the role of an applications engineer. His experiences engaging with business leaders led him to Simon Business School.

From chemist to consulting

After completing his MBA at Simon, Streltsov entered the consulting world, where he has spent nearly seven years advising companies and government organizations on technology strategy, operational transformation, and modernizing technology systems. Today, much of his work focuses on helping organizations understand how emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—can realistically fit into their operations.

“There’s a lot of excitement around AI right now,” he said. “But part of my job is helping organizations understand both the opportunities and the practical limitations.”

That ability to balance ambition with realism also shapes the advice he gives students.

The impact of mentorship

As a mentor with The Meliora Collective, Streltsov works with current students navigating career and life decisions. Rather than focusing only on securing a job, he encourages students to think long term—about the kind of work they genuinely enjoy, the skills they want to develop, and the life they hope to build over time.

“I try to help students create realistic long-term plans,” he said. “A career isn’t just about a title or company name. It’s about the work you’re actually doing every day and finding meaning and enjoyment in that work.”

It’s advice grounded in experience. Graduating during the economic uncertainty of 2011–12 gave Streltsov firsthand insight into how challenging early career transitions can feel. He sees similarities in today’s environment, where rapid technological change and shifting industries have left many students questioning what comes next.
That uncertainty, he believes, makes alumni mentorship more important than ever.

Students benefit tremendously from hearing honest perspectives from people who’ve already gone through similar challenges,” he said. “Sometimes alumni can help make those decisions feel less intimidating.

For alumni wondering how to reconnect with URochester, Streltsov believes there’s no single right way to get involved. Mentoring a student, attending a local event, sharing career experiences, or simply making time for conversations can all create meaningful impact.

For him, mentorship remains one of the most rewarding ways to give back.

“You don’t always realize how valuable your experiences are to someone else,” he said. “But taking the time to help can really change a person’s perspective or confidence.”

—Mary Burke, June 2026