I never really thought about mentorship until 2008 when I was asked to participate as a mentor in our church’s mentor program. They pair up middle school confirmation students with adults in the congregation for a year. I had a great time and the next thing I knew, Ryan and I were coordinating the mentor program (note: for the record, I have a hard time saying no). Seriously though, it was a great experience and the last year we led it (BC – before child) we were even able to revamp it so that the mentors and mentees had a more enjoyable experience.

Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to have had several mentors. I think back to my boss at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. I learned so much from him – not necessarily about my job, but how to be a stand up person and be a leader.

Similarly, my current boss has served as my mentor for the last 5 years. He has taught me about building relationships, managing a team, strategic planning, being fiscally responsible, and how important it is to have fun at work with the people you work with.

I’ve also had a formal mentor through the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Silicon Valley Chapter’s Mentorship Program. Talking to someone in my field, in the same geographic region has been a godsend. Sometimes you need to vent. Sometimes you need to bounce ideas off of them. And sometimes, you need advice. I was so lucky to formally have her as my mentor and am fortunate that she’s continued to interact with me in that capacity.

Last September, I started a program offered through the Chamber of Commerce calledLeadership Palo Alto. I will admit, going into it, I was a little skeptical about what I would get out of it and nervous about the time commitment – 10 sessions from September to June, each lasting from 8am to 6pm. It has far exceeded my expectations. One topic that has come up time and time again has been mentorship: why it’s important, what to look for in a mentor, and how to really utilize a mentor to grow as a leader. Unlike some of my peers in the program, I have been really lucky to have had multiple mentors in my life. So, instead of focusing on who I might ask to become MY mentor, I thought, “I wonder if someone would ever want ME to be THEIR mentor?”

Perhaps it was a sign that my mentor through AFP was now running the Mentorship Program for the Silicon Valley chapter and contacted me about participating – as a mentor this time around. I had concerns and worries – I’m young! Aren’t I still too inexperienced to be someone else’s mentor?!? She gave me the boost of confidence I needed and made me look back at all that I had accomplished in the last 5.5 years I have been in the Development field. I suppose one benefit of working at a small organization is that you learn how to do everything…and learn it as quickly as you possibly can because as soon as you’re done with one thing, it is on to the next.

I recently started my journey as a mentor and am working with a fabulous mentee who is fairly new to the field. Just in our first meeting as I heard about some of the struggles she is facing, it occurred to me how much I’ve grown. And how excited I am to be on the other side of it all.