The Benefits of Having a Mentor
By: Rachael Kuper
Do you feel like a fake on campus? Do you feel as if you snuck your way into SSU, or just got lucky? Do you feel that given time, people will find out you’re not really supposed to be here?
This phenomenon is called imposter syndrome, a common mentality among college students; particularly first generation and minority students. According to Dr. Janis Kupersmidt Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist at innovation Research and Training (iRT), this feeling of disconnect can often be improved by learning how much effort universities put into getting students enrolled.
During our conversation, Kupersmidt explained that colleges pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars per student to recruit each one onto campus. And they spend even more to keep us.
In truth we all belong at SSU, however, success on campus can be greatly impacted by a specific factor. Kupersmidt’s retrospective studies show that past students with a passion for their chosen subject, along with a faculty mentor were the happiest with their college experience.
Prospective studies show a similar trend; a good predictor of student retention is their relationship to staff. In essence, having a professor you connect to, confide in, and consult with is helpful to staying in school and enjoying your time at school. These influential relationships are often called mentorships.
Mentors act as your advocate, cheerleader, and supporter. If you’re struggling or confused they are there to help. If you reach a milestone they are there too, and proud of you. Mentors help you to discover your passions, personal values, and life goals. They help you find compatible courses of study and careers you may not have known existed.
Kupersmidt recalled that her mentor sat with her for hours looking through graduate school brochures, guided her through the application process, and wrote her a letter of recommendation. While finding a mentor can be intimidating, it’s best to start early. Kupersmidt recommends picking a few professors you like and sending them an e-mail or dropping into office hours to chat. It’s good to begin these relationships with more formality, she cautions against texts or using first names. Not every professor will be a good fit, and professors are people, so they may not want to mentor at any given time. Don’t get discouraged! Over time some mentors may no longer suit your needs or you may need a more specialized mentorship. For this reason, it’s best to keep a few professors as mentors, what Kupersmidt called a “board of directors.” And when it’s time for a job search, these mentors are your first step towards networking.
If you’re worried about belonging at SSU, maybe it’s time to look for a mentor.
Rachael Kuper '20 is an English major with a newly declared concentration in Professional Writing.