What do you have to offer a mentee?  How can you strengthen your mentoring skills?  One place to look is in your past.  Spend some time reflecting about the mentors in your own life.  Reach clear back to your youth.  Was there a teacher, neighbor, relative or other adult who supported you through a rough time or nurtured a special ability?  Later on was there someone who guided you through the early ups and downs of relationships, marriage or childrearing?  Perhaps there was a person you connected with early in your extension career who helped you find your way.  Each of us benefits from interaction with mentors all along our life journey.  Ask yourself what these special people provided for you.  The answers will be a good indication of what you in turn have to offer a mentee.

Refer to page 13 in The Mentoring Pocketbook by Alred, Garvey and Smith for specific questions that can help you identify your own mentors.

By Donna K. Donald, Family Life Field Specialist