The Mentor

You will be told numerous times during WEPO about the importance of finding a mentor. I truly didn’t understand the significance until my internship this summer. Then I realized that I had many mentors in my life and that they all played a vital roll in it.

Mentors are people that will guide you and give you advice along the way. They are important in both academics and in life. Maybe you considered your parents mentors while growing up. They taught you how to ride a bike, set the dinner table and how to properly answer your house phone… “hello you’ve reached the BLANK family, BLANK speaking…” you get the point. Well this year you are going to have to learn to do many NEW things. You are going to want to find a mentor, one that can help you to succeed with your goals here at Penn State. The people you surround yourself and look to for guidance will be a true measure of your level of success!

Remember, you are not by any means adhered to the mentor you are given for WEPO. You may also find that you have many mentors in your life for all the different parts. And lastly, there are good AND bad mentors.

What to look for in a good mentor:

1. Approachable! – Never feel like you are bothering them or asking them a “stupid” question.
2. That they LISTEN and not just HEAR you! – There is a huge difference between these two things. A listener will take what you have said and act upon it. 
3. That they admit their mistakes! – No one is perfect. I always try to look for people who know how to correct the mistakes they have made. That means I know they are always looking for improvement in themselves and the people around them. 
4. Encouragement! – Sometimes they know just the right things to help you get back on your bike. 
5. Honesty! – And sometimes they have to let you know that the tire on your bike is flat.

Since everyone has different approaches to finding mentors in their life, I would suggest brainstorming things that you look for in a mentor and how these qualities will help you succeed in with your goals.

Kara Slocum is a junior in Civil Engineering and a Mentor for WEPO'13.  To read more about Kara visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!kara-slocum/cqtn