As a college student, apart from your teachers, a mentor can have a significant impact on your life, in so many different ways.  Let’s see how:

Interests and Passion Development

When you enter college, you may have a clear career path in mind, on what you are interested in studying, and pursuing. Or if you plan to study and weigh your options, a mentor can help you discover, develop your interests and understand what you really want to study and follow. Mentors understand a student’s best interests, abilities, aptitude, and talents,  giving you the influence and guidance you need to achieve your highest potential. They can provide encouragement, information, and guidance, and nurture your college aspirations.

Confidence Boosting

With a fixed curriculum, waves of exams and assignments, and marathon studying to do, it’s not natural that students feel overwhelmed. They have doubts about their subject choices. Some students might not be suited for their chosen program, and are unable to take on the challenges involved.

That is when a mentor comes in.  A mentor will pick you up when you falter and will remind you that your goal is just around the corner. They help you to persevere when you feel overwhelmed. They help you set goals, by assisting you in determining your career aspirations. Once you agree with those goals,  your mentor will patiently work with you, so that you can achieve them.

Providing an Industry Insider’s Perspective

Mentors are mentors, because they have a lot more experience than mentees, and are keen to share their knowledge and experience with you, to help you grow. They may have gone through the same mental states that you are going through now.  They can and will broaden the scope of knowledge by introducing you to professionals and opportunities in your chosen field. They acquaint you with new resources and organizations.

You can get advice and tips on how to handle specific situations on campus and off it, and which direction to focus your efforts on. They break things down in order of importance so that you get clarity on which activity would be more important in your professional and personal life.

Advice on Balancing Responsibilities

You will find that you struggle with balancing various priorities in your college life—academic, professional, social, and personal. All of them are equally crucial in developing a rounded personality.  Whenever you find yourself struggling to balance all of your imperatives, go to your mentor. They are first and foremost, a confidant. Trust them, and they will help you find your bearings.

Expanding your Professional Network

If you are ambitious and are willing to work hard, your mentor will happily introduce you to colleagues, their ex-students, friends, and other relevant people in industry who could be of great help in choosing your career. This is important when you are looking to plan your career.  Most graduates have the biggest problem adjusting to this transition. With your mentor by your side, you are already walking ahead of other applicants in the job pool!

Job-Seeking and Interview Skills

Mentors demystify the often over-whelming job-seeking and interview processes. They make it sound so easy to navigate and advise you on how you can stand out to potential employers, once you graduate and get a job.

Sharing to help Reduce Your Burden

Very often, apart from giving you useful information, a mentor gives you a caring ear. Whatever insurmountable problems you might seem to be facing, they will listen to your troubles, fears, and emotions and make you feel these issues are not that difficult to handle. This can bring clarity to your thinking and make it easier for you to handle tough issues yourself. Sometimes all you need to succeed is confident guidance towards the right direction. Just what a mentor does!

Meaningful mentor relationships in college are very important. You need mentors to help navigate the complexities of higher education, and the uncertainty and anticipation of an unknown post-college life. Very often, the mentor-student bond is so natural and effortless that students might not initially realize its positive impact. The most valuable aspect of mentorship is that each partnership is unique based on a student’s unique circumstances, chosen field of study, and career goals.

College mentors can have a life-changing effect on a student’s career. They empower them with the knowledge, guidance, confidence, and skills necessary to succeed.