Speaker: Philip Wilkerson, Employer Engagement Consultant, George Mason University Career Services
What made you decide to become a mentor?
Philip Wilkerson: I don't believe there was a defining moment that made me want to become a mentor. I think over time, it just naturally happened. I think I was inspired by all those that mentored me and felt that over time, I wanted to give back like so many people have given to me. So I've been very blessed to have educators and mentors look out for me both while I was in school or starting off in my career and through their example and leadership, I felt called to give back and do that for others. So I don't believe there was a defining moment that I wanted to become a mentor. But I do know that when opportunities arose for me to mentor others through organized programs like the NACE mentorship program, I wanted to get back because I was very inspired by those that inspired me.
For you, what is the value in being a mentor?
Philip Wilkerson: I believe the greatest value of being a mentor is that it reiterates your purpose through your career. You know, I'm a hired professional. And for me, you know, education educating others is part of my purpose and makes me feel good about myself. And so I think one of the greatest values of being a mentor is that you get too pour it to others to help build up the next generation of leaders and educators. And so it's if you feel like you're leaving the world in a better place because you're helping the next generation of leaders grow so that, you know, that you can pass the torch to others to take it and do great things and help others. So it's almost this law of it, reach one, teach one. So if they teach someone else, then your impact is greater because you've been able to touch more people through your support of others. So that's I think one of the greatest values for me of being a mentor. Another value is that it's also a way for me to learn for myself. It's taught me ways to be a leader. It's taught me ways to communicate and give guidance to others. It's taught me how to be supportive and organized in my thoughts. You know, for me to mentor someone else, I need to continuously work on myself. And so mentorship is a great professional development tool, not only for the mentee but for the mentor.
What, if anything, surprised you about being a mentor?
Philip Wilkerson: I think the greatest surprise about being a mentor is actually people thinking I'm a mentor, you know, like so often do not think of myself as someone of status or someone of prestige. You know, I'm not a career services director. But people have come up to me and call me their mentor, people that are inspiring on their own. And so I'm always surprised when people say, hey, this is Philip Wilkerson this is my mentor and I'm like, what I'm your mentor. I thought I was just helping you. And so that's been one of my, my greatest surprises, particularly students that were students that are way more high achieving than I ever was when I was an undergrad. I'm so amazed at all these young leaders that call me a mentor and I look at them and I'm like, wow, like you're leaps and bounds ahead of who I was when I was your age. And so I'm so proud of them and and just so inspired that they think of me as someone that is worthy of their, of their, of their support and worthy that they, they trust my opinion and that makes me feel good about myself.
What advice would you offer to others considering serving as a mentor?
Philip Wilkerson: I think my greatest or my advice to those that are serving as mentors is allow the mentorship relationship to be mentee led. You know, I think as a mentor, I like to start the conversation, maybe create some structure about, you know, when we meet or how often we meet or what ways I can support or help. But then over time, I want the mentor mentee to take agency in that relationship and, you know, kind of come to me with questions or set up time to talk to me and allow them to kind of take charge in that relationship. And so one of my things because you are busy, one of my things that you should consider when you're serving as a mentor is allow your mentees, the agency and empowerment to lead that conversation and discussion, put the ball in their court as they say. But that's one of my advices for you.
