You may need a mentor to help you navigate your school and career.
Okay. We all know what a mentor is - - somebody we can approach when we have questions about life, about a job, or about our education.
A mentor is somebody who may have "been there and done that" and has a unique perspective on what is important to you. They are someone we can look up to - - generally an older person, but not necessarily.
A good mentor is like a lighthouse. He or she can help you navigate difficult paths, and zero in on where you want to go in your life, training, and/or career.
Nontraditional students can find a mentor in their chosen field of study, or naturally gravitate to somebody, like a teacher or a fellow student who has insight into what you are learning about.
Do you have a mentor? Do you feel a need to have somebody who can steer you in the right direction at school or with your life?
I know I did not seek out a mentor in school. But now I look back and wish I had. And after picking one out, I would have wanted to meet with this person a few times before I completed my studies. So that is one reason for this posting.
Some people consider their therapist a mentor. And this can be their relationship. Not always, but sometimes. I know that some people rely on good advice from their therapist.
Other people are lucky enough to find somebody else who fits the bill for a mentor's role.
How you go about finding a mentor is up to you. Perhaps joining a club or group at school will help you find your mentor. Or maybe your mentor is online right now. Perhaps a favorite teacher or professor will be willing to guide you and be there for you when you have questions.
I had two mentors when I was in school that I could have met with and asked if they would be my mentor. I feel that they probably would have said yes to my question. They happened to be teachers, and were always there for me to ask questions of, or get extra help for class. I felt comfortable around them, which I think is an important requirement for a mentor.
I know they would have been very willing to help me with a personal question or guide me in the right direction for my career.
Do you have a favorite mentor story? I'd love to share it with my readers.
Nontraditionally yours,
Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student at
WKU
Find out more: here are some articles to help you find your own personal mentor.
How to Find a Career Mentor by Alison Doyle at About.com
Find a Mentor Online from Project Management Institute
How to Find a Mentor for your Job - from Forbes online (expect a short waiting time to see the web page)
A Self-Improvement Mentor - going back to school
Also - you can find mentors and other nontraditional students here at:
The Nontrad site and
blog
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