What Mentoring Has Taught Me
I have been a mentor for 6 years for the uniquely Florida organization called Take Stock in Children. It requires me to mentor a high school student who may be considered at-risk or one who at least falls under the category of coming from a lower socioeconomic background.
The program works with the mentors to match them with a student whom they will meet with about an hour or more each month throughout the school year. During the mentor sessions, which are usually conducted in the school’s guidance office, the students are asked questions about their school experience, grades, ambitions, future goals, etc. The mentors can help the students with career counseling, college planning, and connect them with various resources that may help with the student’s circumstances. In some ways, it’s an extension of the guidance counselor or even the parent. The mentors are able to really get to know the students because ideally they mentor them throughout their whole high school experience and help them make the transition into further education.
I have had five students throughout the years and have normally mentored two different students for each school year. I have found that the one-on-one sessions really do help the students to open up to a trusted adult and give them a sense of accountability. It also helps them to articulate their future plans and dreams that they may have for their future. One thing that mentors can do is to keep track of their year-to-year awards, activities, new skills, achievements, etc. This is really helpful when the student is ready to apply for college or further education.
The rewards of being a mentor are great. I feel deeply satisfied knowing that my students have gone on to college or career training, and that may be a first for their family. Also, they may not have had that push from home, but certainly get it from a mentor who cares about their future choices.
One downside to mentoring is seeing a student not take sound advice and reap the consequences of bad choices. It’s not uncommon for that to happen. As a seasoned mentor, I just redirect and continue to help the student where they have landed.
I think there are more benefits than detriments to mentoring. Young people today need guidance and wisdom. They will often open up more to a mentor than even their parents. Mentors allow them to have an outlet to talk about the future plans and dreams, but not only talk….connect them with ways to make the dreams happen. This is one of the best things I have experienced as a mentor.