What To Look For In A Mentor...

[nnfuller]

While attending a demonstration event at Portland State University, my team was asked by one of their project coordinators what we wanted in a mentor. While at first i could think of all the different things it would be great to have help with, i also didn't really know what to say. What should we look for in mentors?

[Taylor]

This.

[JaneYoung]

This is one of the concepts I typically convey when talking with folks whether I'm at demos, working with rookie teams, helping veteran teams, or just sharing information:

Identify the team's weaknesses and strengths. Take some time to honestly evaluate those and decide on a realistic plan of action. Then set some short term goals and long term goals for the team in how you want to develop and grow as a successful and competitive team. The weaknesses can be strengthened and the strengths can be fortified with mentors who bring their skill sets to apply to the goals and to share with the team. A FIRST team is an opportunity for everyone to grow and develop, including mentors who become a part of the team. If they get that, you are on the road to a lot of fun and hard work.

[Stu Bloom]

Originally Posted by Taylor

This.

This one, a bit shorter and simpler - from Andy Baker back in 2003, is one of the best descriptions of a good FIRST mentor that I have ever seen ... simply BRILLIANT!

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

A good mentor...

treads a thin line between "good friend" and "parent".
says things to a persons face instead of behind their back.
tries to treat every person equally, from the LD student to the AP student.
shows respect and attention to the kid that everyone else picks on.
challenges top-performing students to do better.
gives credit to people when they deserve it.
gives credit to people, sometimes, even when they don't deserve it.
says "I'm sorry, it was my fault" when they screw up.
will do any job, no matter how menial.
listens.

People talk about respect. You don't just "get respect" by "giving respect". Try, every day, to do these things above and you will get respect. You don't need to be cool to get respect, just work hard and be honest with your teammates and yourself. From that, things will fall in to place.

I always try to be a good mentor. Sometimes it is tough. Sometimes my patience is tried and I get frustrated and I get really "short" with people.

I do find that I am a better parent since I have good experience as a FIRST mentor. I see mistakes I make while on the team and as a parent, and the more experience I get with both, the better mentor and parent I become. I value this experience as mentor greatly.

Good luck.

Andy B.

[Allison]

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/wf...on=honoreelist

FIRST is full of amazing mentors and this is an example of just a few of them. If you read just a few of the essays I think you can come up with a pretty good list of what to look for in a mentor and the people I try everyday to be more like while mentoring. Some of these guys I am proud to call friend and still get red in the face when I stand next to them or coach with them.