Students frequently ask how I ended up in the field of human services. Many expect a grand plan or lifelong dream to be shared. Neither is true in my case.
I was given a great opportunity when very young (19 years old to be exact) to be involved in a new human services program providing for the needs of citizens within the same town as my college. The assignment was scheduled to be only two weeks with the duty of providing technology assistance to the newly hired staff. I can still remember the interview for that two week job as if it was yesterday. Unknowingly those two weeks turned into over seven years of experience. Simply put, Jamie was in the right place at the right time.
Even more important than the job and the experience itself was the professionals, and now friends, that I was given a opportunity to watch. For that very young college student with a serious lack of self-confidence, this opportunity to watch, listen and learn from individuals who were and still are much more wise than this man will ever be. They gave me a chance to grow and had confidence in me and my ability.
The term mentor is overused in a selfish type way these days and frequently includes a connotation of a relationship that is based on the idea ‘what can I get from this encounter’; my experience was different, these dear friends really cared about me personally and professionally while having high levels of expectations for me.
The current concept of mentors in our modern world of work is disturbing. The workplace has changed, I have not met many people who understand the importance of being mentor. Reasons are great, not enough time, not enough funding, folks don’t stay in the same job very long anymore. The list is long and believable. Perhaps the bottom line is being a professional mentor happens when the organizational veteran takes that responsibility on out of a sense of caring and concern for a younger co-worker. The “what is it in for me” conversation never even enters the true mentor’s mind.
I have been blessed with wonderful professional and educational opportunities and challenges that has allowed me to grow as a person. Yet, when asked how did I arrive in the position or become the person that exists today, there is only one reason and one reason only.
There were a couple of people who believed in my success more than I had ever dreamed. They believed for me when I didn’t know how.
To those wonderful people thank you.
This post was first published on a Tumblr Blog 13 years ago – CJE