3 Reasons for Considering a Mentor
By Carol Gee
Gordon was the first graduate student ever hired to work with me under the work-study program at Emory’s School of Public Health. Traditionally, my work-study students were all undergraduates. From day one, Gordon decided that he was going to do just enough to get by while completing his Masters in Public Health. He even told me that he didn’t consider his work-study position a ‘real’ job.
I, on the other hand, considered his duties (performing literature searches, assisting with research grant budgets, and a myriad of other tasks) a real job, and told him so. A career military Technical Sergeant, I was used to people following orders. Alas, for a time we remained at odds over the way he preformed his duties. However, there was something about him that struck a chord in me. It was at that moment that my commitment to mentoring was crystallized. Sixteen years later, Gordon is still a huge part of my life.
I learned the power of mentoring early in life. While all of the people who’ve had a profound effect on me are too numerous to remember, a few I will never, ever forget. There was Mrs. Yarborough, my second grade teacher, who often taught siblings of an entire family over the many years that she taught school in the District of Columbia. Mrs. Yarborough looked beyond the drunken slant of my cursive writing to see the individual in me. From her I learned to listen to the rhythm in my own soul.
There was Ms. Hunter, manager of the military service club on my first permanent base after Basic Training. Ms. Hunter opened her home to me, a young, female soldier recuperating from pneumonia; showing me that angels did exist. Admiring her beautiful objects d’art, I listened as she spun tales of travels abroad. From her, I learned to appreciate the beauty of other cultures. Modern Sojourners, my mentors knew even back then what many are discovering today, that a lack of mentors is often a barrier to success. Each in their unique way helped me to become the person that I am today.
Being a mentor is worth every laugh, every tear. And I’ve grown in more ways than I’ve ever thought possible. Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” Recently, a young woman, also an aspiring writer, asked me to be her mentor. Although, she is not sure where she wants her writing to lead, I plan to be there every step of the way. Secure your future, find a mentor!
About the Author: Carol Gee, M.A. has worked in education for 28 years in positions ranging from teaching to administration. Currently she is an editor and business writer at Goizueta Business School at Emory University. She is also the author of books, The Venus Chronicles and Diary of a ‘Flygirl’ Wannabe (Life Lessons of a Cool Girl in Training)
www.venuschronicles.net
Gordon was the first graduate student ever hired to work with me under the work-study program at Emory’s School of Public Health. Traditionally, my work-study students were all undergraduates. From day one, Gordon decided that he was going to do just enough to get by while completing his Masters in Public Health. He even told me that he didn’t consider his work-study position a ‘real’ job.
I, on the other hand, considered his duties (performing literature searches, assisting with research grant budgets, and a myriad of other tasks) a real job, and told him so. A career military Technical Sergeant, I was used to people following orders. Alas, for a time we remained at odds over the way he preformed his duties. However, there was something about him that struck a chord in me. It was at that moment that my commitment to mentoring was crystallized. Sixteen years later, Gordon is still a huge part of my life.
I learned the power of mentoring early in life. While all of the people who’ve had a profound effect on me are too numerous to remember, a few I will never, ever forget. There was Mrs. Yarborough, my second grade teacher, who often taught siblings of an entire family over the many years that she taught school in the District of Columbia. Mrs. Yarborough looked beyond the drunken slant of my cursive writing to see the individual in me. From her I learned to listen to the rhythm in my own soul.
There was Ms. Hunter, manager of the military service club on my first permanent base after Basic Training. Ms. Hunter opened her home to me, a young, female soldier recuperating from pneumonia; showing me that angels did exist. Admiring her beautiful objects d’art, I listened as she spun tales of travels abroad. From her, I learned to appreciate the beauty of other cultures. Modern Sojourners, my mentors knew even back then what many are discovering today, that a lack of mentors is often a barrier to success. Each in their unique way helped me to become the person that I am today.
- Why you should have a mentor; let me count the ways.
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word mentor as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. Mentors are this and much more. Mentors are coaches and cheerleaders, advisers and confidants. Being a mentor requires that you be knowledgeable in a wide variety of topics that reach far beyond the field of education, or the formal classroom. Simply put, mentors bring who they are to what they do. So the careers that I chose, soldier, counselor, educator and writer, seem natural prerequisites for this role. - Mentors can be tough, but also easy to talk with.
Long ago I learned that mentors can’t be squeamish about discussing important matters. Frustrating to many of the women that I mentor is the angst of not feeling on as equal footing as men in their careers. Sadly, this is a systematic part of organizational reality. Using the listening techniques I honed as a mental health counselor, and through engaging in frank, open discussions, we arrive at personal truths that allow them to find their voice and their authenticity, while maintaining their integrity. - Choosing a mentoring relationship is a no-brainer.
Being a mentor does not require anything fancy. And you don’t have to dress a certain way. While mentoring may be formal as well as informal, my relationship with my mentees is pretty informal, which suits all concerned. We’ve often met during lunch hour. Over Bologna sandwiches, we have discussed resumes and interviewing wardrobes. Frequently, my mentees have vented, brainstormed, and even wept. Today, we mainly touch base by phone or e-mail.
Being a mentor is worth every laugh, every tear. And I’ve grown in more ways than I’ve ever thought possible. Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” Recently, a young woman, also an aspiring writer, asked me to be her mentor. Although, she is not sure where she wants her writing to lead, I plan to be there every step of the way. Secure your future, find a mentor!
About the Author: Carol Gee, M.A. has worked in education for 28 years in positions ranging from teaching to administration. Currently she is an editor and business writer at Goizueta Business School at Emory University. She is also the author of books, The Venus Chronicles and Diary of a ‘Flygirl’ Wannabe (Life Lessons of a Cool Girl in Training)
www.venuschronicles.net
