How I Met My Mentor: Securing and Cultivating Mentor-Mentee Relationships [National Conference Session Recap]
Session: How I Met My Mentor
Presenter: DePaul University PRSSA
Recap: DePaul University PRSSA morphed popular TV show “How I Met Your Mother” into an entertaining and informational session on how to meet and cultivate relationships with mentors at different stages in your undergraduate career. The students told the story of how Chapter President Grant Myatt, playing the role of Ted Mosby, found three great mentors to help guide him from freshman year to graduation.
Mosby met his first mentor at a PRSSA meeting. His upperclassman mentor introduced him to other students and helped him choose classes. Through his school’s alumni database, Mosby found his second mentor. After speaking and networking with this mentor, he discovered new areas of public relations and found an internship on a team within his mentor’s agency. While attending a social media summit, Mosby spoke and connected with a presenter whose blog he followed. The speaker was impressed by Mosby and they set up an informational interview after the event.
DePaul PRSSA emphasized the importance of creating strong relationships with mentors to help you navigate the world of public relations.
Takeaways:
- A peer can be your mentor. Likewise, you can mentor a peer.
- Personalize your time with a potential mentor by doing your research and coming prepared with questions.
- Don’t be scared to ask to connect.
- Always follow up.
- Ensure the relationship is mutually beneficial. This could mean that you buy your mentor coffee, help your mentor understand a new social media platform or contribute to your mentor’s blog.
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Katherine Faulk is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Chief Executive Officer of her student-run firm, NinerNation Relations. Upon graduation, she hopes to join a public relations agency in Austin, Texas. To connect with Faulk, visit her blog, follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.
