How My Mentor Helped Me Realize My True Potential
There are certain things that can only be learned through experience. The benefit of having a mentor is one of the best examples. As cliché as it may sound, my experience as a mentee was a pivotal moment in my life. For the first time, I had someone not telling me what to do but helping me look at my options and finding an answer.
Helping my mentor understand me
Through the Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education, I met my mentor, Lindsey Erlick. She wasn’t this pushy social butterfly who I had envisioned. She was a very understanding person. Instead of only talking about her experiences, she wanted to understand why I looked at things the way I did. Helping my mentor understand my perspective helped me better understand myself. This mentorship experience proved to me there is so much about me I never knew.
Facing fears
My mentor often challenged me to find things I was passionate about. Growing up I was often taught to pursue things with a reward in mind. Moving away from the reward and trying things for the experience helped me to better understand what I really wanted to do with my life. I never knew how much potential I had until I was pushed to my limits. There were so many experiences I was passing up just because I was shy.
When my mentor shared her struggles, I think I realized how similar we really are. She battled stage fright just like me and seeing how she overcomes it every day in her job gave me the confidence that I could do it, too. I noticed that once I let go of my inhibitions there was a sea of opportunities waiting for me.
Gaining confidence
I realized that I loved being the change I wanted to see. My shyness melted away and I have confidence in voicing my beliefs. Communicating with others became a passion. I joined various non-profit organizations that focused on helping the people in the community. Through the mentoring experience, I have become more confident in myself, and the best part is I have forged a valuable relationship with my mentor that I will always cherish.
About the author
Claudia Prince
Claudia Prince is currently majoring in Computer Science at East Central University in Oklahoma. She is a member of the university’s Computer Science and Photography clubs and also volunteers at nonprofit community services such as Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and Soup Kitchen. She is a recipient of the 2016 Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education.
Claudia is a Pearson Student Insider. To learn more about the program and apply, click here.
