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Anyone who has been successful in life will tell you they had help along the way, usually in the form of a mentor -- a trusted counselor, advisor, or coach who supports and guides your development. The "Karate Kid" had Mr. Misagi, Luke Skywalker had Yoda -- you get the picture. Read on to discover just how mutually beneficial a mentoring relationship can be.

career Coaching: Sarah Piontkowski & Becky Wai-Ling Packard
"I was looking for someone knowledgeable and accessible to learn from in the areas I wanted to pursue," explains Sarah Piontkowski, a junior at Mount Holyoke college (South Hadley, MA). Sarah met her mentor, Dr. Becky Wai-Ling Packard, at the beginning of the spring semester of her sophomore year when she took Dr. Packard's Statistics for Psychology course.

"I was impressed by Becky's strong, engaging presence in the classroom," Sarah notes. "I remember thinking how much I would love to work more closely with her as I became increasingly interested in pursuing educational psychology. I approached her with questions about the field and her experiences. From then on, the relationship blossomed," she says.

To Sarah, it's important that her mentor remain available to her. She feels that the most effective and motivational mentors are those who are versatile and support the many facets of a student's life. "Becky aids in the creation of a working plan that I can follow to reach my goals," says Sarah. "[She] has afforded me the freedom to grow and explore my passions with the assurance that my opinions will be valued and my goals achieved."

For Dr. Packard, enjoyment comes from watching her students grow. "Encouragement is important, as is congratulating a student for a job well done," she says. "[Sharing] failures, too, is perhaps the most important, especially small failures and mistakes," she stresses. "It helps students see that you are human and they, too, can succeed." Dr. Packard also tries to share what she loves about her work so students can appreciate why she works so hard; there are rewards in work that may not be obvious.

Social Stimulation: Jamie Griggs & Jonathan Glenn
Last year, Jamie Griggs found her mentor in the halls of Central Michigan University (CMU, Mt. Pleasant, MI). She was having a rough time during the first few days as a freshman, and Jonathan Glenn, a junior at the time, lent her a shoulder to cry on. Jamie started at CMU through a program called ACE (Academic and Career Empowerment), formerly known as CEEP (college education Enhancement Program). The program grants conditional admission to a limited number of students who have not fully met the freshmen admission standards. Part of the deal requires students to participate in a mentor/mentee program; Jamie requested Jonathan. "I wanted someone I knew, someone I could trust, and someone who could be an example and help me through my college years," she says.

Jonathan understood the impact his involvement could have. "I believe it's important to be mentored because starting college is an overwhelming experience," he explains. "When you have an older mentor who has been where you are, it is a much smoother transition." Jamie calls Jonathan the older brother she never had -- someone to talk to about school-related issues and personal situations. "He has been a protector, advisor, provider, and comforter," she admits.

Jonathan became a  

College mentor

  because he knew he could help incoming freshmen and transfer students familiarize themselves with the campus and get the inside scoop on events. He helps the mentees with their dreams and goals for the school year while meeting new students and making friends all over the United States. "During my first year as a mentor, I made a lot of mistakes," he admits, but has since learned from them. Jonathan says he learns something new every day, especially from his mentees. "Mentoring is a two--way street," he acknowledges.

All-Around Advice: Nicole & Donnie Seals and Marcia Brown
Nicole Seals is in a unique mentoring situation, as she currently has more than one mentor: Her father, Donnie Seals, Sr., president and founder of S&S Entertainment Inc. and Marcia Brown of The Monarch Group, a marketing and personal branding consulting service in Austell, GA. "Once you graduate from college, people think it's best to get a mentor directly in your field," says Nicole, "but I think that limits some of the potential of those out in the world. I found it critical to have internal and external institutional mentors."

As Nicole's dad, Donnie Seals doesn't consider himself her official College Mentor, rather, he views his father role as that of a coach, instructor, and advisor. "I was surprised when Nicole told me I was one of her mentors," he explains. "I wasn't trying to be a mentor while she was growing up.

I put on whatever hat I had to put on. I'm just basically being a parent." Nicole says she expects a parent to do things like that -- put on different hats -- depending on the situation. "Mentoring is part of being a parent," she says.

Nicole's college mentor, Marcia Brown, a corporate consultant, assumed the role because of her desire to help guide those who want to succeed. "I focus primarily on women and people of color," she says, finding fulfillment from helping others.

"It's a combination of coaching, advising, instructing, and most importantly, listening," says Brown. Each time she enters into a mentoring relationship, she views it as an opportunity for both the mentor and mentee to learn from each other. "Without fail," she says, "it occurs."

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