Every now and again, I put myself out there. No life
vest, I just jump straight into the water and hope for the best. Attending a
regional conference last month I took this chance and introduced myself to a
senior student affairs (SA) professional who I thought could be a positive
influence in my life. I didn’t have to know him, but I liked what he stood for
and his message, “the Five Tools to Success as a Professional.”
To take you back further, a few months ago I wrote a post
about finding a mentor and what that meant, how a mentor relationship forms, and
the virtually non-existent mentor matching programs for young professionals. I didn’t
get very far with my own pursuit until here recently.
After I introduced myself to the keynote speaker, I
connected with him following the conference about his tools for success and also
about the possibility of becoming my SA mentor.
He said that he takes those requests seriously and didn’t
feel that he would be able to commit the time needed to be a successful mentor.
I respected his honesty!
Nevertheless, fate played its card again, and I ran into
this keynote speaker at a second regional conference only weeks after his
previous regional engagement. We were able to speak again and he said that it
was no coincidence that we ran into each other. He then sent me off with
homework – this I didn’t expect.
He gave me a simple but not so simple task of evaluating
the Four Fs: Friends, Family, Faith,
and Finance in my life. How did I want the Four Fs to factor into my life? He
also wanted me to identify my 5 Year Personal
and Career Goals.
I since then have been able to meet his request and bring
to paper the many ideas swarming in my mind. Sure, things will change and
nothing is concrete, but it helps to have given serious consideration to what I
want to do in life and in this profession.
Since meeting this unofficial SA mentor, I continue to
see the importance of finding a mentor, friend, colleague that can help point
us young professionals in the right direction.
So, whoever reads this post, take your mentor search
seriously. I’ve heard from several of you that you have encountered similar obstacles
in your search to best direct your SA careers. If you want to connect and talk
more ways to interact with Senior SA professionals, hit me up @jjwil325 Twitter
Handle.
Joshua Wilson
@jjwil325
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