Numerous studies reveal that most successful people had a
mentor who helped them in their career. A mentor is someone
with experience, knowledge, and connections who can make you
aware of opportunities, help you network into an internship
or job, and offer support and advice. A mentor’s reward is
watching a protégé become successful.
HPU has several ways to help you find a mentor, if you want
one. In many larger institutions, graduate teaching assistants
teach most freshmen and sophomore courses. Those that are
taught by faculty are large lecture courses, often with 200
or more students. With so many, a professor would find it
difficult to establish any mentoring relationship. At HPU,
faculty members, rather than graduate students, teach all
classes, so you can meet the faculty early in your academic
coursework. And HPU’s small classes offer an opportunity to
build a relationship with your teachers.
HPU faculty also provide various mentoring activities. Dr.
Eric Vetter of HPU’s marine biology department, has taken
students to the ocean depths off Lo‘ihi, a volcani sea mount
east of Hawai‘i. TIM faculty arrange job shadowing at major
resorts. Faculty take students to professional conferences.
Mentors write letters of reference for jobs, law school,
or graduate study and HPU faculty members are respected enough
to open many doors. Many are internationally recognized in
their field. Dr. Mary Sheridan, for example, was recently
honored as “Social Worker of the Year in Education” by the
National Association of Social Work, Hawai‘i chapter. Dr.
Jerome Feldman, was one of five distinguished speakers selected
to address an art symposium at Stanford University earlier
this month. Linda Beechinor was named the newest member of
the Board of Directors for the American Nurses’ Association,
a professional organization that represents 2.6 million nurses.
Jacqueline Langley was a producer at CBS in New York. Her
expertise helped HPU student videos earn national and international
awards last year.
How can you get a mentor? You must earn respect and trust
by being diligent in class and by showing initiative and dedication
to your studies. If offered an opportunity, take advantage
of it, and be sure to express your appreciation. Volunteer
for extracurricular activities and develop your leadership
skills in student chapters of professional organizations.
Do more than what is assigned, and you will rise to the top.
Find an HPU mentor and succeed!
