Mentors: Why is having a mentor important?

When we hear the word mentor a few words pop into our minds: knowledge, leadership, experience, and many others. For me when I hear that word one name comes to the fore front of my mind Dr. Thomas Ostrowski. A man who worked at Gannon University for decades in multiple positions before setting on being a professor of political science. Recently, Dr. Ostrowski passed away after decades of doing what he loved most, and that is teaching others. This tragic event has forced me to reflect on my time with him and what an impact he had on my life. Whether you have a mentor or never thought about the concept of one I urge you read on and see all one can offer.

Mentoring is not what you see in movies or television shows where a wise older individual gives advice at pivotal points in a persons life. A mentor a good one at least teaches by example what to do when you faces those choices. Even beyond tough choices they teach you how to act in everyday life in order to make decisions and take steps to better your self and others. Dr. O did that for me in the simplest of ways by talking about his life. He was well known to talk to students and his peers for hours in his office about anything and everything. My freshmen year of college I was lost and confused on what to do with my life. I had just switched from a mechanical engineering major to a dual major in history and political science. At the time I was taking a class called Public Policy Analysis that was being taught by Dr. O.

Unlike other classes we talked a lot in that class, some days all hour and half of class would be a class discussion on a topic. Gun control, drones, sugar, poverty, the importance of reading, and etc. What took me back was how Dr. O handled a conversation when the class had opposing view points. Never did he say someone was stupid or ignorant for having an opinion instead he asked them to explain their point and defend it. By examples and stories from his life, he was able to show me and others what it meant to be a part of a community. Its about lifting each other up instead of putting others down.

Fortunately, the lessons Dr. O taught his students will live on because of what a great mentor he was. I firmly believe I am a better person for having had him as a mentor. Mentors are people we want to be when we reach our goals. By learning from their successes and failures, you can achieve things you only dreamed of. Take the time to look at the people in your life, and see if you can find a mentor. If you cant see one then go out and find someone who can be that role model for you. It costs nothing to be mentored, but the returns are infinite.