What does it really take to be a good mentor? After months of research reading authoritative books and personally interviewing mentors who draw praise from a variety of sources, three things stand out: desire, time and skills. The first two are up to you. The third is the reason this website exists.

Desire

Mentoring can provide some of the most fulfilling and rewarding job experiences if it is done correctly. The most important trait a mentor can have is the genuine desire to help a student. Life-long relationships are formed when this desire is apparent to the student being mentored. Brad Farnsworth, former BYU administrative vice-president and current mission president of the Spain Madrid Mission, recently recalled the influence of his mentor while a student at BYU:

"Students will most likely have a professor or a job supervisor who has made a difference in their life – not only in academic preparation but in broadening their perspective, enlightening their knowledge of the gospel, and preparing them for future leadership positions.

As a student I was blessed with caring mentors in the School of Business, the MTC, and my BYU ward. One such mentor was H. Verlan Andersen (BS '40). I took my business law classes from him, and we had several good discussions in his office.

Ten years after I graduated, I ran into Elder Andersen, then a General Authority, in Salt Lake City. I was a new bishop. He invited me to his office. He then took an hour out of his busy schedule to offer counsel for me as a new bishop, young father, and former student. He had not forgotten me, and he remained interested in my success."

Of course, desire from the student is also critical, but largely up to the student. However, mentors can still help broaden the vision of the student, which can lead to a greater desire for learning. It is crucial to realize that desire to do what it takes (patience, learning mentoring skills, etc.), on the part of both mentor and student, is the foundation of a mentoring relationship.

Time

Desire may not be enough if your job responsibilities as a supervisor do not allow the time necessary for quality mentoring. Mentoring means providing the time necessary to develop and sustain a meaningful mentored relationship. Also, the student job duties should allow for the two of you to meet regularly. For more on student job qualifications click here.

How much mentoring time is required to have a successful relationship is determined by you, the supervisor; but it needs to be enough to develop a meaningful relationship. It should also be noted that time invested into a quality student can result in greater productivity and more time for the supervisor (see Experiences: Media Relations – Athletics).

Skills

Desire and time are what it takes to be a good mentor. We are here to give you the resources you need to make sure you have a positive mentoring experience with great students at BYU. BYU students are some of the best and the brightest, but supervisors still need to know how to mentor in order to help them tap into all that potential. Supervisors who are able to mentor successfully tend to be more productive. Click here for all the resources you need to learn how to become a great mentor.