Mentor Log #3: Cohort update

To all those who sent in your thoughtful responses to me last week, THANK YOU so much. I am overwhelmed by the sheet number of essay sets I received. I appreciate the time and effort that went in and also the trust you placed in me as you sent them over.

I also hope the exercise was enlightened you and yourself. It was designed to be as much a revelation for you as it would be your introduction to me.

Here are some reflections as I continue to read through your packets-

I received 40 sets of essays. This is a relatively high conversion ratio (compared to those who expressed interest initially). As I read through your packets, I recognized a conundrum I have to deal with. I want to help as many of you as I can, but then would not have the time to do justice to each one of you. So, I will need to make some tough choices in the coming days.

Reading the essays, internalizing them and mirroring them back to you have all been mentally stimulating for me. The difficult part here is the "mirroring". The success of any mentoring relationship lies in being able to mirror your responses back for self-reflection versus offering advise. Reason? Any resolution on your career (and life) should come from within to be successful.

Many of you asked why I am doing this as your ONE question to me. There are a few reasons I can think of

• I have been helped tremendously by mentors. I understand how good mentors can make a difference, and I am driven by a strong desire to give back.
• Knowledge is for sharing. The questions you ask, the oversight you seek, and the trust you place on me give me the framework to disseminate my perspectives and experience on various career topics.
• Selfishly, I derive contentment. Contentment if I contribute towards your success. Gratification if my perspectives make a difference to you. And then there is happiness.

Circling back to the cohort, I will revert to you all once I have done justice to your essays. I will read them all, and give you feedback. I hope to then select a handful that I can work with at your pace. For a second subset, I am open to periodic email mentoring.

Looking forward to this journey.