Blogs

A Reflection on Learning

By Diane Safer posted 09-26-2017 08:10

  
As someone who is still relatively new to the field of career services and always searching for opportunities to learn, I jumped at the chance to participate in NACE’s Mentor Program. The program is described as “an opportunity for experienced members to build and strengthen the community by sharing their expertise, and for those new to the field or new to a specific role to gain insight and knowledge to succeed in their careers.” 

My mentor, Joni O’Hagan, Director of Career Development at St. John’s University, and I met by phone once a month for a year. As the mentee, it was my responsibility to determine the agenda and choose topics that would initiate a conversation. Every month, I was amazed at the depth of conversation my simple topics elicited.   

Reflecting on this year of learning, here are some key takeaways:  

Invest your time wisely

Carefully consider in what you wish to invest your time. Many projects will cross your path. However, if a venture really appeals to you, speak up.  Don’t assume your supervisor will know your preferences or will be thinking about what works best for you professionally. You are the ultimate captain of your professional success.   

Reflect on what you have achieved

Keep track of your accomplishments. Build a case about your skills, assets, and experience to support your value proposition.   

Grow professionally

Remember to stay well-rounded. Get involved in all aspects your office. Become active with career services organizations and consider smaller, regional associations, not just large, national organizations.  

Re-evaluate the meaning of success.

Upward mobility in higher education can sometimes be slow so also consider breadth as success. Seek opportunities that will provide you with experience to grow professionally. 

Grow to be a leader

And as you grow, empower others who work with or for you. Always be the type of leader who shows that “nothing is beneath you.” You should always be willing to do whatever you would ask others to do.   

As promised, the experience provided valuable insight and useful knowledge that I will apply as I continue to grow professionally.

(Note: Diane Safer wrote "Being A Successful Mentee: A Guide for Career Services and URR Professionals," available free from NACE. A guide for mentors, "Mentoring Guide for Career Services Professionals," by Gary Alan Miller, is also available.)


A Reflection on Mentoring


by Joni O’Hagan, St. John’s University 

Often we find ourselves getting up each day, coming into the office and routinely going about the tasks at hand. At times we are blessed with challenges to think creatively and tackle something new which breathes life into our roles and contributes to our own skill development and growth as a professional. It is not often, however, that we have the opportunity to sit back and reflect on all that we’ve accomplished in our careers while connecting with someone new and helping them on their journey at the same time. For me, the past year, as a mentor participant in the NACE Mentor Program, provided exactly that opportunity.   

As shared by Diane Safer, NACE’s Mentor Program is described as “an opportunity for experienced members to build and strengthen the community by sharing their expertise, and for those new to the field or new to a specific role to gain insight and knowledge to succeed in their careers.” Having been in student affairs for nearly two decades and career services for 15 years, the opportunity to share with my mentee the road I’ve travelled, inclusive of successes, failures, challenges, and accolades, was refreshing and motivational.

The Mentorship Program helps NACE members share knowledge and ideas, and aids less experienced members in gaining expertise and building a professional network. Mentors are paired with mentees by association (college or employer), interests, and geographic region. Mentor and mentee determine the length of the formal relationship. The Mentor Program is open to NACE members only.

#mentoring

Permalink