Finding a mentor

I just read an article on how Centennial College earned an award for engaging first-generation learners, and one of the keys to success of their program was a mentoring component. I'd have to agree that having a mentor can be an important part of your success as first generation and low income college students.

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So how do you go about finding a mentoring relationship? First, don't think it has to be a structured or formal relationship. Think of mentoring as learning from someone you respect, whether or not there is a formal recognition of the relationship. Here are  tips to start a mentoring relationship as a first generation or low income college student:

Don't look too far. Think about who you click with already. Chances are that you already have people in your life--like professors, older friends, or campus advisors--who would be great mentors. Don't force it.

Look for resources. If no one you know springs to mind, try asking professors, the alumni office, or career services center for advice about finding a mentor. Your campus also might have a formal program already in place.

Meet on their turf. Seek out interactions with your chosen mentor in familiar settings at first, like office hours for advisors and professors. This will prevent things from getting awkward if the match is not quite right.

Express yourself. After a few solid meetings on their turf, consider telling your mentor how much you are gaining from your relationship and asking them to be your mentor.You can suggest meeting for lunch or going to a campus event together, just keep it professional.

Ask the right questions. There are two types of questions you should be asking a mentor. First ask mentors questions about themselves to get to know more about their experiences that are relevant to you. Second, ask questions about feedback for you. And take their answers seriously.

After following these steps, hopefully you have found a nurturing and successful mentoring partnership out there.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.