Students blog

Last year, I was honored with the privilege of being paired with a mentor through the Pearson Scholars program. I had never had a mentor before and didn’t quite know what to expect. I learned a lot through the experience that I would like to share with you.

Mentorship set the scholarship apart

The Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education is different from other scholarship programs because it is all encompassing, meaning they provide support in multiple areas. In addition to providing financial aid, they also pair the scholar with a mentor from Pearson who helps guide through the transfer student journey. I had always wanted a mentor and was ecstatic when I was paired with Julie Watson. No one can contest that a scholarship is helpful in paying for school, but a mentorship is a bit harder to quantify. There is no dollar amount you can put on a mentorship, and with relationships it’s often said that, “you give what you get”.  

Finding a way to connect

If you are lucky enough to have someone invested in your personal, academic, or career success –  it’s important that you make the most of that relationship! Don’t be intimidated by mentors. They are there to help you! I have had a very valuable and insightful experience being mentored as part of the Pearson Scholars program, and I want to share with you 3 pieces of advice to ensure you make the most of your mentorship!

Get Personal.

It can be intimidating to share the details of your life with someone, but doing so will help you create genuine connections with your mentor. It will be easier to maintain a relationship if you are updating one another on life events.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

The worst thing that anyone can say is ‘no’. However, most of the time, your mentor will be more than willing to help in your educational journey. Be open to suggestions and eager to learn. Feedback is critical to developing healthy perspective and ideas.

Focus on self-development.

Knowing who you are and what you want will help your mentor pair you with resources and internship opportunities. Growing and changing is a constant process that we aren’t always aware of. Take some time to refresh and reflect, whether that be through meditation, prayer, journaling or talking with friends and family.

Having a mentor is very helpful in your success as you progress from academics to careers. The relationship you have with your mentor is vital, and that is why I encourage you to not restrain your emotion. Truly get to know the person, and they will get to know you as well. Through this, don’t hesitate to ask for their advice, but also keep in mind your own personal goals and development.

Have you had a mentor? What made the relationship great? Share with the Pearson Students community by commenting below!

(Part 1 of a three part series)

A mentorship can be a tricky thing to find, but once found it can become an incredibly fulfilling relationship. It takes time, planning and commitment to really get to know someone, and a mentor is no different. The transition between 2 year to a 4 year college, or to a career after graduation can sometimes present challenges and uncertainties that seems overwhelming!

Mentors can provide vital career support and academic guidance, and often become lifelong friends. Here are my tips for finding a mentor.

Assess what you want from the mentorship.

What type of skills you are hoping to gain? What can you can bring to the table? Although mentorships are thought of as one person mentoring the other, the reality is that a mentee should also be looking to help their mentor.

Look around.

There are potential mentors everywhere! Mentorship can be found through work, internships and volunteer experiences. Some programs, such as Pearson Scholars, help students by pairing them with a mentor to guide them through the transfer process. These connections can be formed nationwide, and can connect through video chats –  so don’t be afraid to look afar (or online!).

Mentors are a valuable part of getting experience and expertise needed to succeed in academics or careers. Just be sure to have an open mind about what a mentor could be, think about what you want to gain (and give!) as part of the mentorship relationship – and don’t be intimidated to step outside of your comfort zone!

Do you have a mentor in your life? How did you get connected with that individual? Share with the Pearson Students community by commenting below!