How would you describe the role of a mentor?

Mentorship can have different meanings based on the person’s needs. A mentor can act as an advocate for you, help you navigate how to do things, and/or give you advice. With a mentor, there is a sense of lock and key, where the mentor has something (whether it be experience, connections, or knowledge) that you need, and is willing to share that something with you. Basically, a mentor is an active guide that helps you work toward your goal. There is an understanding that the focus is on you.

How did being mentored impact you?

Knowing that someone else was in my corner and was there to advocate for me (even if they were just there to give me advice) made me see that not only was I an amazing, strong, smart woman but that I could accomplish tasks and take on responsibilities more than I initially thought I could. 

Having a mentor also helped me bridge the gap between just having ideas and taking action. For example, early in college, I was thinking about applying for an internship at a hospital, despite feeling like I was too young and unqualified for the position. The internship also required me to have transportation to the hospital, and I did not have a car. My mentor told me I was qualified and said,  “apply and I will make sure you have a ride.” My mentor then coordinated rides to the hospital throughout the internship.

Lastly, there are some experiences I might not even been able to have if people had not told me about them or that I was a good fit for them. Having a mentor also made me more aware of the impact of mentoring and gives me the push to do that for other people.

How did you start to see yourself as a mentor?

I started seeing myself as a mentor when I realized how young some of my mentors were and that I was not that different from the people who were mentoring me. It took some time, but once I finally had the self-awareness that I had experiences that were worthwhile and that I should share my experiences and insights with others, I began to view myself as someone who could be a mentor.

How have you empowered others?

I have reminded people of their strengths and what they have to offer, and I have made them aware of opportunities they would not otherwise have known about. For example, I reached out to individuals I knew and encouraged them to apply for leadership positions I had engaged in. I did this because I realized that in order for me to apply for those leadership positions, someone had reached out to me and told me I was a good fit. I knew I would not have applied if they had not reached out to me. Therefore, I knew I should do that for others, or they probably would not apply either. It all comes down to noticing what someone has to offer and using that to empower them to take a risk or opportunity.

What are some red flags for bad mentoring?

Mentors: keep in mind that mentors should play a supporting role – they are not the main character in this story. It should not be about the mentor, and they should listen to the mentee rather than just telling them what to do.

Mentees: there should not be a sense of expectation. The mentor is not obligated to do anything for you. If the mentee does not adjust their expectations when the mentor does not meet their expectations, this is a red flag. Remember, a mentor is not your assistant, and it is not their job to get you certain roles or fix things for you.