Mentors serve many roles in your life and can help you find the keys to being the most successful you possible. The relationship with your mentor is about more than just helping you learn; it's about helping you achieve whatever it is that you want to do. Here are some of the benefits of having a mentor.
According to MENTOR, one of the nation's largest youth mentoring resources, "Systemic and growing inequity manifests as gaps in opportunity, networks, and access to adult relationships outside of families." The heart of EquipHer is to assist in closing some of these gaps for female students in local high schools who lack exposure to opportunities for various reasons. We've also found that students facing the negative impacts of these gaps benefit from adult mentorship and peer mentorship. While we partner each student with an adult mentor, we also pair students with a peer who has more exposure and academic success to complete a program-long project that allows them to learn from one another and grow. "Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations," says MENTOR. It's our goal to nurture and foster these healthy multi-level mentorships.
Access to Knowledge
One of the most important benefits of having a mentor is access to knowledge. If you want to learn how to do something, like start a business or become a leader in your community, then you need to know what it is like to do those things. Choosing the right mentor gives you access to knowledge in the field that you want to study. Even better, that knowledge is backed by extensive experience from someone who achieved the same goal as you.
Wisdom and Guidance
Mentors often help you with more than learning specific skills. They give you access to wisdom and guidance to help you make better decisions throughout your life. If you can keep from making the bad decisions that can get in the way of your success, then you have a much better chance of becoming the person that you want to be.
Never Be Alone on Your Journey
The journey to being the best you that you can be does not have to be a lonely one. Find a mentor that can help you find the best path to the best you and teach you the life lessons that you need to be successful.
Finding a mentor doesn’t have to be difficult either. Join EquipHer to find a mentor, or volunteer to be a mentor in our program.