Benefits of Becoming a Mentor

"Do mentors derive any benefits from mentoring?" The answer is overwhelmingly "YES! " Often times the potential rewards to for mentors are overlooked. Sometimes mentors are portrayed as only participating in a one-sided relationship. But, it would be a mistake to assume that mentors have nothing to gain. When mentees see that admired adults find it personally rewarding to spend time with them, they feel a new surge of self-worth and empowerment. In fact, when mentors don't derive benefits, relationships are at greater risk for early termination.

To examine mentors' experiences in relationships, researchers Kate Philip & Leo Hendrey conducted a series of in-depth interviews with 30 mentees (aged 13 to 18) and 30 adult mentors. Some of their findings include:

  • Mentors perceive the experience of being identified as a mentor and the process of mentoring in highly positive terms.
  • Mentors' experiences provided them with a form of "cultural capital,*" that helped them to:
    • Make sense of their (sometimes difficult) past experiences and current challenges;
    • Gain insight into the day-to-day lives of youth
    • -Develop positive, more reciprocal relationships with youth.
*Cultural capital was described as a "set of recipes to deal with the challenges they [mentors] face in their day to day lives." These challenges included dealing with difficulties in relationships with their own children and others, and surviving on few resources.

The Commonwealth Fund surveyed a nationally representative sample of adult mentors of youth. Some of their findings include:

  • Three-quarters of the 1,504 mentors surveyed reported that their experience had had a "very positive" effect on their lives. They felt that mentoring provided a break from their busy professional lives and a chance to give something back.
  • 83% percent indicated that they learned or gained something personally from their mentoring experience, including feeling that they were a better person, increased patience, friendship, a feeling of effectiveness, and a chance to acquire skills.

Another study interviewed mentors regarding their perceptions of the personal benefits of the relationship. Respondents identified several benefits.

  • Enhanced self-images. Mentors saw themselves as being competent, helpful, visionary and loved.
  • Feelings of accomplishment and the creation of networks of other volunteers.
  • Fulfilling expression of the mentor's spiritual values.

Studies have discussed benefits to mentors, including:

  • Improved health and self-esteem;
  • Insight into one's own childhood or children;
  • Public recognition
  • Enriching mentors' family life, e.g., when mentees provide support and companionship to the mentors' children.