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February 5, 2004

Mentoring Has It's Rewards

Recently, I have been blessed with the opportunity of mentoring a graduating senior from a local high school. What is interesting is that I get to do this during working hours. The school requires that each student complete a senior practicum, prior to graduation. My mentee wishes to become an engineer, so he will shadow me for roughly ten weeks.

Hopefully, after spending 10-weeks with me, he will not change his mind about becoming an engineer. I suspect that I should not hide anything from him and make sure that I curtail the foul language. I will do my best.

I often wonder, how great it would have been to have been exposed to a similar program at my beloved, BTHS. Tech had many cool programs, but I don't recall ever having someone talk about a mentoring opportunity. Heck, who knows what I would have become if I had that sort of experience as a youth.

If you've not served as a mentor, I encourage you to give a try. It really is quite rewarding to make a connection with a young adult.

Posted by AG at February 5, 2004 9:06 PM

Comments

that was a great story. even if we had the mentoring opportunity we probably would be what we are in life. we all have our station/job in life, i dont think we can escape. what do you thank
krenee

Posted by: krenee at February 7, 2004 9:13 AM

Like you I never really had a mentor. I had to struggle and work hard, although I can credit a couple of managers who gave me the opportunity to prove myself. However I have had the joy of mentoring a few younger folks just starting out in IT and watching them evolve into sucessful professionals over the years. There is nothing like knowing that you were a positive influence on someone' s life and helped shape their future.. it is a true blessing to the mentoree and the mentor. There should be a lot more of us!!

Posted by: Charlene at February 7, 2004 11:03 AM

Renee:
I'm not sure I agree that everyone has a 'station' in life. Arguably, it's clear that having self-determination and tenacity, we stand a better chance of achieving our goals. Mentorship, just provides an avenue to exchange with someone who can impart life experiences, and hopefully, a bit of wisdom and encouragement.

Posted by: AG at February 7, 2004 11:39 AM

Charlene:
Actually, my father was perhaps the only mentor I had as a youth. I'm clear that I did not always appreciate or understand his wisdom because he was my parent. I would venture to guess, that many youngsters would share my sentiments. Hence, the importance of having mentors that are not family members. It is great to converse with someone closer to your peer group.
Yes, there should be more of us :)

Posted by: AG at February 7, 2004 11:52 AM