The Value of a Mentor in the 21st Century

By Kyle J. O’Hearn, Secretary TUSHRM, Temple University
Updated 12:54 PM EDT, Tuesday October 8, 2013

When an individual pursues the opportunity of higher education, it is in their best interest not only to go beyond classroom learning by joining student-professional, educational or recreational organizations, but also to seek a mentor. The value of having a mentor in today’s world is limitless.

Mentors have been around for centuries. The famous Greek philosopher, Plato, had a mentor, Socrates, which dates back to 328 BC. Plato’s life may have been extremely different, had Socrates not been a factor in his younger years. A mentor pioneers new thoughts and ideas, helping one explore and reach new heights and levels that might not be possible without their attention. Every college student in the 21st century should seek a mentor.

Temple University SHRM (TUSHRM) students have been provided with an excellent mentoring opportunity beginning in the Fall 2013 semester. The Philadelphia Society for Human Resource Management Chapter (PSHRM), the sponsor of TUSHRM, has launched a new mentoring program for senior HRM majors. The mission of this pilot program is: To unite students with young professionals for guidance, advice, and interaction for an enhanced perspective of transitioning from classroom to office. Mentors and mentees are carefully screened and selected. To be considered, students must:
• Be interested in a long-term professional career in HR;
• Be an HRM major in their senior year and enrolled in courses at Temple University
• Be a member of Temple and National SHRM
• Have relevant work or internship experience
• Have completed all required career workshops; and
• Have taken the course “Introduction to Human Resources.”

The program is very competitive and selective. Most of the mentors were recruited from PSHRM’s Emerging Leaders Committee, which supports the career needs of young HR professionals. With great HR leaders, comes great power to make a difference in the workplace.
Once admitted into the program, the mentor and mentee begin by establishing goals. Careful monitoring and tracking will be used throughout the program to evaluate its effectiveness. There has been a lot of “hype” going around about this new program, with a vision that it will be extremely impactful and beneficial to all who participate.

This opens up a new avenue for Temple University’s Society for Human Resource Management (TUSHRM). Before, students had to seek their own mentor. Now, with this structured mentor program, new doors have been open, marking a milestone for TUSHRMs chapter. It won’t be long before the current students in business schools across the globe assume HR responsibilities, as the so-called, “baby-boomer,” generation continues to retire or leave the workforce. For sure, it will be exciting to see the mentoring program progress, the business world progress, and human resources as a discipline, progress.