Empowering Dreams: Mentoring and Leadership

During this month-long celebration of National Mentoring Month, all of us at Braven recognize that mentors act as invaluable sources of support and guidance for college students, especially those who are first-generation, college goers and who hail from underrepresented backgrounds. Mentors offer real talk, heart-to-heart, seasoned wisdom passed down to the next generation of leaders. They are the folks who've been there and done that. They've seen the sunrise after all-nighters, navigated the murky waters of burnout, heard the inner voice of imposter syndrome, and have come out on the other side with invaluable knowledge capital.

Think of them as friendly life coaches with superpowers. They've got the map to the career jungle, the compass for navigating tricky relationships, and the secret sauce for whipping up your confidence. They're cheerleaders, truth-tellers, and walking wisdom repositories, all rolled into one. And why do they do it? Because they were once in your shoes and they believe in your ability to be the next generation of leaders we need in this world, even when you doubt yourself. They know that everyone needs a little guiding light sometimes, and they're happy to lend a torch.

I am grateful to the many individuals in the Bay Area who commit to being mentors as Braven Leadership Coaches and Professional Mentors to hundreds of students at San José State University . I am particularly grateful to Swetha Dixit , SaaS Pricing Manager at 英特尔 , for taking the time to share her reasons for volunteering as a mentor and discussing what good mentorship means to her.

Question: What drew you to become a Leadership Coach with Braven?

Swetha: The mission to empower the next generation of leaders. I see Braven as an organization that aims to enable, uplift and equalize.

Question: What are the most significant impacts you've witnessed or experienced through mentoring relationships?

Swetha: Braven Fellows are so bright and creative. With the guidance, motivation, resources, and great support from the Leadership Coaches and Braven staff, they can make better choices about their future education and/or career. They build confidence and know they can lean on an experienced person for perspective.

Question: How does mentoring empower individuals and communities to thrive?

Swetha: Mentoring fills the gaps in knowledge, experience, and perspective that many youth face because they might be first-generation college students. It elevates them to set goals that lead to a better start in career, economic empowerment, and personal growth. The mentor community itself gives individuals access to resources and a support system. I am proud to be a part of Braven as it enables, uplifts, and grows personal and professional communities.

Question: What are some key challenges and rewards associated with being a mentor?

Swetha: Not all mentees are the same. It may be a challenge for them to build trust and open up, based on their personality and background. It is important to find the right match, set expectations, and commit to the relationship. It is very rewarding to see the mentees grow and become more confident about themselves and in interacting with others. When they feel they are in a safe space, they tend to be their authentic self. It feels good to see that aspect shine through and know that I made a difference.

Question: How has your experience with mentoring shaped your personal and professional development?

Swetha: Personally, I learned that I can be a good coach. It gave me a new perspective coaching students and I was impressed at how capable they are. It was a great opportunity for me to give back with my skills, experience, and expertise. Professionally, I learned about design thinking which I will definitely apply in my professional life. It reinforced other skills like managing a diverse team and being empathetic.

Question: What advice would you give someone considering becoming a mentor or seeking a mentor?

Swetha: As a mentor, positive reinforcements go a long way to open channels of communication. Being objective about any challenges helps in providing better guidance. As a mentee, focus on your needs. Together, I recommend setting realistic expectations and time commitments. Be respectful and try to be a good listener.

Question: How do you see your role as a Leadership Coach contributing to Braven's mission?

Swetha: I created a safe space where students could be their authentic selves, where it was ok to have different opinions or bold ideas without being judged. I encouraged teamwork, ownership, and accountability among my student mentees. I made sure everyone was an active participant in the Learning Labs so they could learn to articulate and communicate effectively.

Thank you, Swetha, for your commitment to developing the next generation of leaders as a mentor. Learn more about volunteering with Braven and San José State University at braven.org/volunteer.