Advanced study is always different from what students learn during their undergraduate level courses. As an undergraduate, they obtain knowledge, whereas, at the graduate level, their foremost role is to contribute something to their field of study. Educational institutions that offer graduate and postgraduate degrees are professional spheres where students learn new skills to become successful in their work.
While studying, you will often come across experienced members of a field of study that offer to help you to advance your research, land a job, and more. Finding and keeping contact with these people is incredibly important. If you are curious as to why, check out some of the reasons below and see if it changes your perspective on mentors.
Mentors Off Knowledge and Information
Even if you aren’t studying in school, a mentor can help you in many ways. Mentors are capable of supplying knowledge and information. A mentor will push you and try to help you to extract your best qualities. Whatever problems you face, you can turn to mentors for help, as they will have more experience and may be able to offer solutions to problems.
In an academic field, mentors play an important role, especially when you are pursuing a Ph.D. You will need additional information and knowledge to complete your thesis, and in such a case, they will be your helping hand.
Mentors Find Your Weaknesses And Strengths
It is important to know your strengths and weaknesses, but that kind of self-analysis can be difficult. Someone you trust and who knows you well can observe and guide you through your weaknesses and help you to find your strengths. Research mentors can be brutally honest, and they will point out your weaknesses without any hesitation. This is the time when a research mentor helps you; they know how to utilize your strengths and help you to make better choices.
Increase Your Productivity
A research mentor increases your productivity in various activities, especially when the work is challenging, such as when working through pre-doctoral publications, grant writing, instructional development, and conference presentations. Moreover, they may help you to get financial support in the form of scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.
Stimulate Your Professional and Personal Growth
Mentors also enhance your personal and professional growth. According to some research, students who have good mentoring experiences have a greater chance of finding success in and out of University life. If you already have goals, your mentor will assist you.
Mentors Set Boundaries
Sometimes boundaries are required to become successful in life. They teach discipline, which is one of the most important considerations as good discipline will help guide you in nearly every aspect of life.
Mentors Are Like Sounding Boards
Mentors play the role of sounding boards. You can throw your ideas on them, and in return, you will get unfiltered opinions. They will see your potentials and appreciate your hard work, but they will never discourager you unless they think you are going in the wrong direction. They are like trusted advisers who always deliver useful ideas.
Hopefully, these points help you to see why mentors are so important, and why you should keep in touch with those people in your life who can help you to reach your potential.