Mentors are an invaluable resource to a learner as these relationships can provide a student with exposure to personal values, interests, time, talents and skills (Berger, 1990). However, for a mentoring relationship to come to fruition, it requires the mentor to be a good match for the student (Berger, 1990). Without this connection, the mentoring process would be fruitless.
An effective mentoring relationship requires presence, consistency and time to grow. A mentor/mentee relationship is dynamic. As the mentee is encouraged to explore and develop, the mentor is required to grow and adapt in the same vain. The relationship requires time so the emotional bond and connection can deepen. As the relationship lengthens, the benefits of mentoring become more effective and bountiful. (Little, Kearney, and Britner, 2010)
With the relationship becoming more established and productive, the mentee is able to utilize their mentor to continue their exploration. This allows them to become more rooted in their purpose and who they want to become. As the learner continues to strengthen their roots and foundation, the mentee eventually is able to critically reflect and reason independently. It is in these moments where the mentor and mentee relationship evolve into something of a collaborative effort.
However, it is also here in the mentorship process where the mentor realizes that they are no longer needed. The learner has had the space to develop their own principles and values and has the skills, talents and capacity to continue growing. The mentor now hopes that their mentee will bloom into beautiful members of society that stand tall, proud and unique.
