Why You Should Mentor
I was reminded today, of why helping young people find direction, identify goals, and develop a plan to pursue those goals is my favorite part of my job. I love my responsibilities as a faculty member (lesson planning, teaching, coaching, asking tough questions, trying to help people find answers, telling jokes that don't get laughed at, presenting boring stuff in an engaging/interesting way, making the theoretical applicable, etc.) - grading is the only part of my job that I don't get too pumped about (I think most people who teach would agree with me on this). All of that said, mentorship is - by far - the most rewarding part of my job.
A past student, intern, and lifelong mentee (and in many ways, mentor) and friend, shared the note below with me today. If you have ever been interested in serving as a mentor to a young person - in any capacity - and you're still on the fence about it, I encourage you to commit to it for a year. I have grown and benefited more from my experience mentoring others, than they have from having me as a mentor. It is one of the most rewarding things that a person can do with what free-time they have. If anyone who reads this is looking to add someone to their organization/team, who'll make an instant positive impact on it, work her tail off, and help it succeed in all of the right ways indefinitely - you should get in touch with Tahnee Trenberth (she'll be graduating with her MSL, from one of the best graduate programs out there this year).
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"Alastair,
Before National Mentor Month ends, I just wanted to thank you for being mine. Every week that we spent together I left feeling more grounded and focused.
Something that I realized as of late, from being in a male-dominated degree and professional environment, is how much I appreciate your presence as a positive male influence in my life. With a scarcity of women mentors in these fields, I have heard so many disheartening stories in my business classes about women being unable to find a mentor, or feeling small in their mentorships with men. I have even experienced this treatment to some degree firsthand by the men in my classes and have been shocked by it. Thank you for respecting me and never making me feel like anything less than a true equal in both my academic and professional endeavors. You have no idea how much your genuine support means to me.
Your advice and encouraging words ring in my ears daily whenever I feel an inkling of fear or self-doubt. I feel so ahead of the game in my business knowledge and feel like I could crush any interview after our conversations. (I also am the queen of “action items” now, hahaha.) I miss our morning meetings all the time, but it is comforting knowing that you are always just a call or two-hour drive away. You are the epitome of what it means to be an empowering, transformational leader and I can’t thank you enough for all that you have taught me.
There is something indescribably inspiring about a person who wants nothing more out of their career than to invest in others’ potential. I just wanted to remind you that I truly feel so lucky to know you and to have your guidance in my life, Alastair. Thank you for always believing in me.
Forever grateful,
Tahnee"