Am I mentor?

[Ed Sparks]

Erik,

The greatest reward you can give your mentors is to become one. Looks like you have accomplished just that. Keep it up .........

[Rion Atkinson]

So I keep seeing insight from your fellow mentors of his. How about some insight from a student's frame of reference?

As many people have said, you have been a mentor for many years now. I was in the show the other day when one of the second year student on the team looked up at be after cutting a part I had asked him to and smiled. But it wasn't any smile. It was the smile of an accomplished person. Someone who had just done something worthy to be proud of. I sat there for a few moment thinking, "I thought him that. And now here he is, on his own, doing work I was doing last year. I can have complete trust in him. Is this what it feels like to be a mentor?" I realized in that moment, that no matter what it takes, I will go to college, I will get a job in engineering, and I will mentor a FIRST team. (Maybe not in that order. )

That being said, our team captain last year graduated. He was the only team captain we had ever had. (two years) I was voted into his position to do a job I had never done before. Who did I turn to when I needed help? Him. He had returned this year as a college mentor, along with one other student who graduated. To me, the best mentors are not those who have vast amount of knowledge that they could smother you with. The best mentors are those that work along side you, build that relationship, and when you need them; they are there. To me, he is the best mentor I have ever had. And he Erick, is the exact same age as you, and in the same position.

So to me, your answer is yes.

Hope that helps,
-Rion