When you think back on your life and the people who made a difference, who comes to mind? Most likely family, close friends and, if you were lucky, a mentor. Maybe the latter helped you in an official mentorship capacity or generously shared their time and wisdom. Either way, knowing they were looking out for you and that you could turn to them for advice likely gave you more courage to pursue your goals. But did you know that mentees can also improve the lives of their mentors?
Mentoring Is Good for Aging Brain
Social interaction of any kind is great for the brain and our overall health. A recent study found that older adults who had frequent social interactions experienced 70% less cognitive decline than those who rarely interacted.
The same researchers found that social activity is also related to motor function: people with high levels of social activity had 43% less disabilities than those with low levels.
But interacting with someone who is younger than you is particularly beneficial. Your mentee will likely teach you about things you might not know about. For example, if you want to know how millennials feel about certain political issues or how to use social media, your mentee might be able to help. This mutual transfer of knowledge allows you to keep learning.
Mentoring An Employee Could Help Your Career Too
A study published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior found that mentoring relationships helped mentors almost as much as mentees. The research found that when mentors provided career support, they experienced more career success. When they provided social support, they felt more committed to their workplaces. And when they engaged in role modeling with their mentee, they reported better job performance.
Mentorship Also Provides Meaning and Purpose
Everyone wants to feel connected and valued. This is true whether you’re working or retired. Mentorship allows you to make a strong connection with a young person who respects you and values your opinion and wisdom.
In fact, new research by sociologists at the University of Toronto highlights the connection between advice giving and life meaning, finding that it’s most pertinent for older adults. The researchers argued that feeling useful is a key part of living a fulfilling and happy life. No big surprise there, but they go on to say that when we give advice to others, it actually gives our lives more meaning. We feel useful. We matter.
Chances are, you’ll witness your mentee blossom and grow with your help. Whether serving as a role model to a young child or offering career advice to a graduate, you can feel great knowing you’re making a positive difference in another person’s life.
How to Find a Mentee
You first need to determine what kind of mentoring relationship you would find the most fulfilling. If you would prefer to mentor a child, you might contact your local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, The National Mentoring Partnership or Mentoring USA to get matched with someone who could use a supportive adult in their lives.
To mentor teenagers going through difficult transitions, connect with a local youth group or high school. And to mentor university students or recent graduates just starting their careers, consider reaching out to your alma mater, or a local college or university in your area. Be prepared to possibly complete a mentor training program or learn mentoring skills before you start. While mentorship can be time-consuming, it’s worth it.
