1. Mentoring

Student Zone

Mentoring

Our defintion of Mentoring

Mentoring is a voluntary professional relationship whose primary purpose is professional development. Mentees look to the mentor – an experienced, knowledgeable, trusted professional – as an advisor who can help them develop personal skills or competencies that will help them achieve personal and career goals. If that definition sounds a bit indefinite, that’s intentional. Remember, the nature of mentoring depends on a number of individual factors, like:

  • The ground rules the mentor and mentee agree on.
  • The background and experience of the mentor and mentee.
  • The personalities of the mentor and mentee.

Benefits of being Mentor

Here are just some of the benefits mentors have reported:

  • Personal satisfaction from being able to share your experience.
  • Feeling energized by the opportunity to give back to the society.
  • Increased self-awareness.
  • Reinforced sense of professional identity.
  • Increased visibility and respect in your organization or society.
  • Increased ability to develop talent.
  • Enhanced skills.
  • The opportunity to help shape future professionals.
  • The opportunity to gain insight about a different generation or culture.
  • The opportunity to enhance your pupil skills.
  • Validation and increased confidence.
  • Increased job satisfaction.
  • The opportunity to interact with, and learn from, someone outside of your normal class.
  • The opportunity to build or enhance your support network.
  • The opportunity to develop lasting friendships.

Benefits of being a Mentee

Here are some of the benefits of being mentee:

  • An increased self-awareness of their strengths and weaknesses.
  • An increased self-awareness of their values and goals.
  • Satisfaction from committing to personal and professional growth.
  • The opportunity to receive constructive feedback regarding various skills.
  • The opportunity to commit to holding themselves accountable.
  • The opportunity to develop or refine interpersonal skills.
  • The opportunity to build their support network.
  • The opportunity to develop lasting friendship.