Mentors Make a Difference
Categories: College Life, Exploring Careers and Majors
I recently read an article that a woman wrote discussing a mentor that truly made a difference in her academic life. While many of us have people we turn to for personal issues: difficulties with family, work, and other every day life stresses, how many of us have a person to turn to help us on our academic path? I began to reflect on both my high school and college experiences and I am sad to say that while I did have teachers and advisors that helped me, I never had that one established relationship that I could return to for guidance year after year. And I would say that out of my entire college experience, this is my biggest regret - not fully utilizing the knowledge and expertise all around me.
So if you are in high school or in college, look at those individuals (whether they are professors, your advisor, an academic dean or anyone else that can offer academic help) that inspire you, that challenge you and ultimately make you want to succeed. These are the people you want in your corner as you navigate your academic life. You may be asking yourself, “how can these people really help me?” They can help in lots of ways. They can help you pick the courses that are most appropriate for you to take based on your career objectives, they can help you find that perfect internship that will give you a leg up on the competition, they can make you aware of opportunities that may not be publicized to the general school population- but they know about them, they can give very accurate and thoughtful recommendations to your future employers and offer you much needed advice as you progress in your career field of choice. The support, care and guidance an academic mentor can give to you is immeasurable.
I have a sneaky suspicion many students are similar to me and may have felt too self-conscious to reach out, or didn’t really know how to go about making that connection. If you would like more information about finding a mentor, approaching them and maximizing the time you spend with them, then check out some words of wisdom that Inside Higher Ed has put together for you. Do you have an academic mentor? Wish you had an academic mentor? Share your thoughts here!
Best of luck,
Val
Great post, Val. Like you, I wish I had had someone to mentor me through high school and through college. I often wonder how my academic path might have changed if I had sought someone out to ask questions of. Thanks!
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I agree. I had a teacher in high school who helped me with some of the things my guidance counselor couldn't. She helped me think about careers and make decisions about what to do after high school. She meant a lot! Thanks Mrs Nichols!!
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I'm looking forward to working with an academic advisor in college. Right now, I go to a really large high school and the guidance counselors all deal with a lot of kids that all need different things. I know what I want to major in and I know that when I get an advisor in college, it will be someone who is in that same field. I think it will be helpful to have someone in that field (psychology) advise me on my classes, internships, etc. My mom is even still friends with her advisor from college!
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I didn't have a true college mentor when it came to the college search and I wish I had. I talked to my friends and their thoughts partially determined which school I chose. While it can be good to hear your friends opinions, it is much better to hear it from someone who has already gone through the process so find someone you look up to and take it from there!
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I agree with Katie K- mentors can make all of the difference. A big thanks to all of those that have helped students along the way to achienve their goals and dreams!!!!
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Mentors - The key to my professional success! Having the 'right' people take YOUR success! The best menor relationships usually start unofficially and informally. You admire someone's work style, knowledge, approach to difficult situations, or career path... you start asking them questions and for advice. People are usually flattered that you are seeking them out and value their guidance! ASK ASK ASK, and always THANK THANK THANK!
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