Quick 9: Denise W
Mentoring
Denise W, First Tee – San Francisco
1. Why is mentorship important?
It’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed, especially since we now live in an extremely fast-paced world where expectations for us are very high, so having a mentor to guide us through our development process is definitely reassuring.
2. What makes someone a good mentor?
Listening and being able to communicate effectively are qualities that make someone a good mentor. With such qualities, a mentor will be able to offer constructive feedback which will aid in a mentee’s future development.
3. Who has been an impactful mentor to you?
My mom has definitely been the most impactful mentor for me.
4. What have you learned from her/him?
From my mom, I learned that no matter what the circumstances are, hard work pays off. My mom immigrated to the U.S. in hopes to find better future prospects for the family and despite not knowing any English, she still continued to work hard in the U.S. to achieve her goals. In the end, all of her hard work and efforts paid off because she was able to provide the basic necessities for our family and grant my siblings and I access to a higher education.
5. How did/does your mentor help encourage you?
My mom always tells me, “Don’t be afraid of failure. Just go for it!” These are words that I will always remember because they encourage me to try new things, even if I don’t necessarily succeed. It’s a way of telling me that failure is a learning experience and if I fail, I can keep trying.
6. Have you grown as a result of your mentor?
Yes, I have grown as a result of my mom. Her guidance has helped me become more disciplined and more open to new experiences and opportunities. Without her, I don’t think I would be the person I am today.
7. What would it mean to you to become a mentor? Or Do you serve as a mentor at your chapter or any other capacity?
For me, being a mentor is very meaningful and fulfilling because not only am I able to help others, I am also able to develop myself further as a leader.
8. Do you have any advice on how to choose the best mentor in your life?
Find someone who cares about you and is willing to take the time out of their busy day to listen to your needs and help you.
9. What has First Tee taught you about mentorship?
First Tee has taught me that both the mentor and mentee are learners. Both rely on each other as a resource for new perspectives and knowledge. It’s not a one way relationship where only the mentor is helping the mentee.