Published on Feb 07, 2022
Internships are great a way for you to get a hands-on experience in your career, but there’s only so much insight they can offer you. While you are trying to gain as many valuable skills and experiences as you can, that can be overwhelming without the right support. If you’ve never thought about mentorship, we’re here to get those gears going!
What is a Mentor?
A mentor is someone who provides guidance and advice. When you have a mentor, you’re able to ask them a ton of different things, like how to navigate your classes and how to apply what you learn to your career.
What Should I look for in a Mentor?
Since mentorship is professional and personal at the same time, it can be a little hard to figure out who would be best for you. As you look for a mentor, consider your values and goals, then find someone who aligns to them both. For example, if your goal is to improve your technical skills for an computer science class, you should look for a mentor who is experienced with programming and can help you learn. You shouldn’t pick someone whose specialty is writing. Mentors can be peers, family members, MU faculty or staff, work supervisors or coworkers. Regardless of their age or title, a mentor is someone whom you admire, and you feel would make a helpful guide.
How Do I Find a Mentor?
Mizzou offers a few different mentorship opportunities. If you’re only looking for scheduling or time management guidance, then check out the Study Plan Consultants. They’re a part of the Learning Center and dedicated to helping students stay organized for peak performance. If your goal is to find professional guidance, then the Mizzou Mentoring Program is definitely something to carefully consider.
This program offers mentorship opportunities between students and alumni, matching you by shared interests like major, career path, location and more. Their goal is to help your achieve yours, so don’t be afraid to sign up!