Mentoring

You know all those calendar dates – National this and National that? Well, one of them caught my attention. January is Mentoring month. I began to reflect on my role as both a mentor and a mentee.

Being a mentor involves providing guidance, support, and advice to someone with less experience – the mentee. A mentor shares their knowledge, skills, and insights to help the mentee develop personally and professionally. Mentors offer guidance based on their own experiences, expertise, and wisdom.

As mentors, we become role models by demonstrating professionalism, ethical behavior, and effective problem-solving. We help our mentees build connections and expand their opportunities within our field.

We offer advice on goal setting, skill development, and help create a path for advancement. We listen and provide a supportive space for open communication. Constructive feedback, positive reinforcement, and acknowledgment of achievements all help contribute to the mentee’s sense of self-worth and success.

I have had the privilege of being both a mentee and a mentor. As a mentee, a life-long relationship was formed with my mentor. While she is no longer with us, I reflect on her advice and our talks almost daily. She had a huge impact on my life and my career. I, in turn, have since mentored others that are new to our field. Being a mentor is a fulfilling role that contributes to the development and success of others.