I felt like I needed to do something. Not just anything, but something meaningful. I suppose that’s what led me to the office of MAS (Massachusetts Academy of Sciences) here on-campus. After getting a little lost in Morrill III (honestly, who doesn’t?), and an hour later, I was starting my training.
A lot more work goes into training than you think—especially when you’re mentoring kids. But after all of the work is said and done, it really is such a rewarding experience. There are so many reasons why being a mentor is so important, but I’ve boiled it down to four.
1. Remember that feeling you get when, after hours upon hours of staring at your orgo textbook, you finally have that ah-ha moment of getting it? Being a mentor, not only can I see that look on my mentee’s face, but I get to be the one that helps the concept turn into understanding. How cool is that?!
2. Being a role model is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life. I remember one time after winter break, one of the girls I mentor was proudly showing off to me her UMass Amherst sweatshirt she got for Christmas. I really can’t describe how amazing that felt!
3. It’s so amazing to see these kids being excited and ready to learn – especially when you’re doing a fun activity like making ice cream in a freezer bag and dancing around to shake it!
4. As cheesy as it sounds, they’re the ones teaching me. Through mentoring, I’ve learned how to be patient, flexible, and how to choose my words carefully and just generally communicate better.
Are you interested in being a UMass mentor, Collegiettes?
Contact jenna@massacademysciences.org for more information.
Why do you think being a mentor is important, Collegiettes?