The Human Element of Mentorship

Mentoring is a responsibility I take seriously. It's the ultimate pay-it-forward effort. Rewarding, yes, but also challenging in ways I never anticipated when I first stepped into this role.

When I moved to the East Coast, I left everything behind: family, friends, my culture. I had to learn what it meant to have nothing familiar to hold onto. No easy way to stay connected to home. No sense of belonging. I knew I needed to be strategic about building a new circle, people who could become the friends and family figures I'd rely on.

I arrived at my Boston dorm at my all-women's college three days early because I'd found the cheapest one-way flight. My resident advisor, another California native, came looking for me to introduce herself. When she spoke to me, I teared up. It had been two days since I'd talked to anyone, and the sudden human contact overwhelmed me.

Not cool, I thought. How do I manage this? More importantly, how do I prevent it from happening to anyone else?

I didn't know much as a young adult, but I knew one thing: I had to build community faster than I'd anticipated. That week, I met my roommate, her friends, and their friends. I met so many people that this was my chance to create what I needed for the next four years to be successful. That's where I learned to communicate with anyone, at any time. These were my peers, but isn't that what a team is supposed to be? A group bonded by working toward a unified goal.

There's a dedicated space in my heart for being there for someone the way others were there for me. I let mentorship happen organically. Over the past few years, I've created opportunities within my department, securing positions that offer room for learning and growth. But here's the question: How does a supervisor become a leader who builds trust and respect with a generation born with computers in their hands and answers just a browser click away?

The answer is time. Dedicated time to sit, listen, and offer the one thing technology can't provide: human value.

I've been a leader and mentor for many years, and I continue to lead this way. Being chosen as a mentor is a great honor. It's also a commitment to show up, fully human and fully present, in a world that's increasingly automated.

The results speak for themselves. I'm filled with pride when I can recommend a mentee for a promotion or new role. Many have found opportunities beyond what they imagined possible, supported by a foundation strong enough to carry them through whatever comes next.

Mentee, Mentor

Human value means teaching grace, forgiveness, and understanding when life's choices feel overwhelmingly difficult. I create space for my mentees to explore hard feelings, to recognize them, but never to let those feelings stop their progress. I partner with them to ensure they feel supported, cared for, and valued. Not just as professionals, but as whole people navigating complex lives.

This approach has shaped how I lead, and it's driving where I'm headed next. I'm exploring opportunities that focus on supporting women in challenging situations. Because mentorship shouldn't be limited to those who already have access. The women who need it most are often the ones least likely to find it.

Some connections can't be coded. And the best leadership happens when we show up for each other with intention, with time, and with our full humanity intact.