The role mentorship has on students can affect how they grow up and shape our communities. New Mexicans involved in the mentorship industry share their thoughts on why students benefit.
Lesley McKinney, the Director of Counseling Services for Student Health and Counseling at the University of New Mexico, says that mentoring is a pathway to a brighter future.
She emphasized that students are also going through a developmental period in their lives and higher education can add more pressure to create more stress.
“And the more stressed we are, the harder it is to learn,” McKinney said. “So seeking out mentoring or counseling could be very beneficial for those students who are struggling.”
New Mexico students stand to gain immeasurable benefits by finding a mentor. Mentorship offers many networking, character-building, and leadership opportunities that many students can benefit from, as stated in an article from the American Psychological Association.
Jessica Sosa, the Advancement Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters in New Mexico, says that finding mentorship should always be a top priority for students.
“We do advocate for students and the younger generations to find mentorship as soon as possible,” Sosa said. “Mentoring and finding a mentor is a tool that can help many people grow personally and definitely professionally.”
Will Martinez, the Editorial assistant at the Mentoring Institute at the University of New Mexico, emphasizes the benefits students can gain from seeking mentorship.
“For undergraduate students, navigating academic demands and professional relationships can be overwhelming, and with the help of a mentor, their chances of success increase tremendously,” Martinez said. “There is research that shows students who have had a mentoring relationship improve their own well-being, which later contributed to their own success over time.”
According to Mentoring.Org, a poll was conducted on adults who said they were mentored in their youth and reported it had long-lasting impacts, with 74% of those who had a meaningful mentor say that person contributed significantly to their success later in life.
McKinney says that finding a mentor could play a significant role in helping prepare students for the transition from university life to the workforce or further education opportunities:
“Finding a mentor or talking to a counselor can really help many students navigate personal or professional issues,” McKinney said. “You can also look at it as an educational opportunity because mentors can also help students get ready for what comes after college.”
