Student Mentoring

How did I come to mentoring? It was quite simple. I answered an email advert from the student office of a northern university and as they say ‘the rest is history.

So what is involved? Mentoring or ‘buddying’ necessitates building a relationship with your mentee; not just a relationship as friends, but one of trust and frankness. It is essential that mentees are given time to clarify their particular needs and focus on how the relationship is to best serve them. It takes time to develop a mentoring partnership. The mentor must wait and sometimes wait a considerable time before the mentee really feels comfortable and is ready to open up

The mentors aim, and this applies whether or not the student is disabled or able bodied, is to facilitate and enable the student to achieve his or her goals and potential. Providing network contacts and sometimes easing open certain doors is all part of the role. Making time to listen and learning to contribute tactfully is essential

I have now been involved in mentoring at various colleges and universities for over three years. I have found it rewarding and immensely satisfying and have benefited much from the experience of being a mentor. To enable students to attain their goals is to secure the future.

David Merkel