Skip to main content
Communication, Art + Technology › Communication › Publishing
SFU Student

a woman teaching on the whiteboard
Credit
unsplash.com

America's most famous literary icon, Mark Twain once said:

 "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.” 

This inspiring quote reminds me of the word mentoring.

It seems that there’s a secret to the success of some of the most remarkable people in history: they all had amazing mentors.

For example, Bill Gates - one of the world's richest men - had a mentor in Warren Buffet. Yves Saint Laurent had a mentor in Christian Dior, and Plato had Socrates.

So, what is a mentor?

A mentor can act as an advisor, a friend, a teacher, or even a counsellor. They’re people in your life who you respect, learn from and aspire to be similar to. Although no one can make a career decision for you, mentors are there to listen, offer you their insight, and encourage you when you’re in doubt.

A good mentor shares their invaluable knowledge, skills and experience and helps you identify your passions and envision your ideal working environment when it comes to your career.

The best mentor would be the most experienced professional you admire. They are the perfect ones from whom you can learn.

Here are some useful tips on an effective mentoring relationship:

For mentors:

  • It is not coaching; it is mentoring. You can provide advice but the final decision is your mentee’s, not yours.

  • Listening is key. You don’t have to agree with everything shared by your mentee, but at least be willing to listen and let them know that you’re there to inspire them with confidence or another perspective.

  • Be empathic. Try to understand things from your mentee’s perspective.

  • Keep everything confidential. Never share your mentee’s stories with others without their permission. It is all about mutual-respect.

For mentees:

  • Never expect benefits to be spoon-fed to you by your mentor and for them to do the work for you. Be responsible for your own learning. You are the only one who can put in the time and effort necessary.

  • Be open to your mentor’s critical feedback, opinions, and perspectives so you can learn and improve.

  • Don’t hesitate to ask your mentor questions to get the most benefit from their past experience and gain invaluable knowledge from their expertise.

I currently have three mentors: my elementary school teacher (I can’t believe it’s been more than 10 years!), my church leader, and my supervisors at my current workplace – Career Services. They all have positively influenced my personal and professional development and opened doors to other great opportunities. I can’t imagine what I would have done without their support and guidance.

In return, I now mentor first-year students through the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology (FCAT). Through this opportunity, I can share my success and learning experiences to help others transition from high school to university.

If you don’t currently have a mentor, I highly recommend you seek one out. Here are some resources for you to visit:

Remember one golden rule of mentoring: you receive what you give. Having a mentor is not a one-way-street; being a mentor brings significant value as well. If you put the time, effort and energy into building and nurturing the mentor/mentee relationship, the reward will pay off!

Good luck!

SFU Student
Jeannie Chong is a Special Projects Assistant with SFU Career Services, and a fourth year student studying communications and publishing. Jeannie also volunteers at a radio station, spends time doing crafts and Chinese calligraphy, and loves to indulge her sweet tooth.
visibility  48
May 29, 2013

You Might Like These... Professional Development, Personal Development, Career Exploration, Life Experience

Marble statue of Socrates
Know Thyself

So you have graduated from university and are hanging your well-earned degree on your bedroom wall, and all of  a sudden, a tiny, yet unavoidable voice in the back of your head is quietly screaming “No time to celebrate, you need to find a job!” or “I’ve got my degree…what do I do with it?!’.

Mike, author
Indigenous Stories: Mike, SFU Alumni

"I have no solid plans for the future and I love it...I know that every experience that I have had, every failed plan, was really an excellent mistake that gave me the skills I need to handle any situation that gets thrown my way in the future."  Read Mike's story of career exploration, and how to handle constant change.

picture of glichelle pondering a though
Surviving Workplace Politics

Ever been peeved with workplace politics? Have you ever been a victim of office politics? One student shares her experiences from the workplace with tips on how to survive.

 

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections

Japan building
Co-op Japan: 9-month Internship at NTT, Yokosuka, Japan

Co-op Japan: 9 months in Japan can seem like a long time away from the comforts of SFU. But as we all know, if you’re having fun, time flies. For Duncan Chan, all he saw was time fly as he experienced life in Japan like no other. He worked his Co-op work terms, developed friendships, and gained new skills he can utilize in the future – everything he did in Japan was that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and he took it until the very end.

Statue of deities
Durga Puja 2011

Unlike just any festival, Durga Puja is likened to "Disneyland, the Olympics, Christmas and an art gallery all in one." Join Martyna, Silvia, Lindsay and Christine in their celebration of Durga Puja, an annual Hindu festival in Kolkata. As they weave through busy streets and celebrate festivities, the girls share their exciting experience with us in this blog entry. 

a red taxi in the streets of Hong Kong
Culture

Ever wondered what it would be like to work in Hong Kong? Yat Li shares with us in this 3-part series on his experience adapting to a new culture, living arrangement and workplace culture. Also hear about his food and city adventures exploring one of the world's most densely populated areas.