men•tor

/ˈmenˌtôr,ˈmenˌtər/
noun: an experienced and trusted adviser.
verb: advise or train (someone, especially a younger colleague).

It’s no secret that having a great mentor can positively influence your career. One doesn’t need to look hard to see examples of how Boston University mentors have changed lives for the better. Take alumna Denise and student Jorge as an example. As a senior at the College of Engineering, Jorge was looking to get some guidance on his next step. Denise, on the other hand, had reached a time in her life where she could give back to those same organizations that helped her build a successful career. Together, they engineered a lasting mentorship. (Yes, pun intended.)

Are you seeking a great mentor?

Mentoring relationships can sometimes be hard to define and are often informal. There are some important questions you should consider before reaching out or asking for help. Here are some tools to purposefully find and ask for mentorship:

What makes a great mentor?

The lucky among us have a good mentor—a teacher or coach who made a positive impact on our lives. But great mentors understand that their formal and informal mentoring connections are treated like any personal relationship: a two-way street with learning and growth required on both sides. Some excellent resources for high-quality mentoring:

Ready to FIND or BE a great mentor?

Over 5,000 alumni have volunteered as mentors on BU Connects.

Learn about BU Connects