The Importance of Mentoring for Students
Mentoring is often underrated in lower levels of education but it is crucial for students no matter their level as it is for adults in the workplace
Take a moment to reflect on your school-to-career journey. Have you had an inspirational teacher, a friend or family member, a co-worker, a manager, or a professional you admired who mentored you through the way? If so, then you know the firsthand value of mentoring. The aim of this short piece of writing is to encourage learners to seek mentorship, no matter their level. This blog will cover the importance of mentoring for students and where they can find mentors.
A mentor is a person who gives a younger or less experienced person support and advice over some time, especially at work or school. Mentoring is the act or process of such activities.
Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction
— John C. Crosby
The journey from High School to college and then on to graduate school is long and may be difficult for even the best students. But having a mentor, the future Scientist, Engineer, Doctor, Environmentalist, Educator, Lawyer, President, or Economist can have a sound understanding of the potential opportunities, difficulties, and choices that one may encounter along the road to becoming or mastering their chosen endeavor. Mentoring students through their academic ambitions gives them moral support that spills over to other personal and professional development areas in their lives.
Three ways having a mentor from the start as a student boosts your career
- Mentors will help you in setting clear career goals
A career goal can be anything you want, work for, and hope to achieve concerning work and education. Objectives in life require careful planning. A mentor will help you develop realistic goals and pinpoint the actions you need to take to reach your plans. They are there to guide you and point you in the right direction toward the type of education, skills, or job most fitting to your background or area of interest.
- Mentors will keep you motivated
The process of a learning path has its ups and downs. Students might sometimes feel like giving up when it gets overwhelming. Your mentor is there to remind you that you have the mental capacity and skills to succeed. They are there to keep you motivated. Having a mentor on your side ensures that you have someone supporting you through the difficulties of navigating new spaces in schools or work professions.
- Mentors will pass on their professional know-how
Finding a mentor who has walked the same professional career path as the one you see in yourself allows you to catch a glimpse of the route ahead through their experience even if the road you end up taking might not feel all the same. Your mentor’s expertise and advice are valuable. By sharing their professional experience with you, you will get real-life insight into your future career.
Where to find a Mentor as a student
Most schools have career centers that avail all their students to specify their interests and strengths, explore a diverse range of opportunities to build experience and clarity about their goals, and empower them to pursue paths they find personally meaningful. Go to your school’s career center, explore the career development opportunities available, and take advantage.
Understanding the different skills applied and the work ethic of the profession you want to work in provides some way of direction.
For those of you whose schools do not have a career center, look around your educators and colleagues, then the best place to look for a mentor is right in front of you. Who do you admire and respect? Who has always impressed you with their professional work? And whom do you feel drawn to?
Do not confine yourself to only one individual; ask for mentorship from several people in different areas if you see it essential. Prepare to talk to them; do not be afraid to ask for advice and help. If you cannot find a mentor near you: go online and read the autobiographies of people that inspire you. The internet has made free resources widely available that were not available a few years ago. So, use it wisely in ways that benefit you, your friends, your communities, and the world.
When you know what you want, the world provides you with resources in every corner you look.
Although challenges make life engrossing — overcoming them makes life meaningful and fulfilling.
If you know a less experienced student you can help, please take the time to mentor them. You will gain valuable skills in the process as they benefit from your guidance.
