Nate Solomon
My Carver Promise mentoring experience
As I was first informed about Carver Promise I was kind of scared to attempt
to mentor. After much thought I began to become excited to mentor someone and
teach that lessons that I have learned. I expected my first mentoring session to be
very awkward and different. I felt confident that I could help my assigned kid so I
was very outgoing at our first session. My mentee, Markese, acted extremely shy and
timid when we first met but slowly opened up to be near the end when I asked him
simple questions like his name and about himself.
After my mentee felt comfortable with me we started to talk a lot more about
each other and our backgrounds. Markese told me how he likes to play football and
basketball. He also would tell me about how him and his mother would go places
together and how he would help take care of his baby cousin. Markese became very
open to conversation and his friends also became interested in talking or hanging
with us. We would spend each session with either spending time in his classroom or
going to the mentoring room and reading a book first. Afterwards, we would play a
board game, play go on the computer, read more or do math problems. Sometimes
we would draw or go to his recess and play outside.
I believe that Markese best responded to the leadership of someone who was
his friend, looked up to, and taught him important lessons that he might have not
learned at home. He has taught me to enjoy myself more, be more active and hang
out with friends and family more. I believe the only problem that can spew from
mentoring is that the mentee’s parent may be upset with lessons that they have
learned or gifts they have received. If a situation occurred with this problem I
Nate Solomon
believe I could simply discuss with his parents how I am here to help their child and
that I actually care to make a difference in his life. I prepared myself by being a
responsible, young adult around Markese and his friends.
When the time comes next semester to say goodbye to my mentee I feel like I
would be upset for a while. We have made a bond already because I am someone he
looks up to and respects and he is someone I care for and would like to be
successful. I think he will also be sad because he is always so happy and cheerful
whenever I come and gets upset if I’m not able to make it. My overall impression of
mentoring is that it is learning experience for not only the mentee yet the mentor as
well. I would explain my mentoring experience as inspirational. I’ve learned so
much already and it has inspired me to have my own family and raise my kids well.
It also makes me want to help others in need of help or are in bad positions or areas
in life.
Over the semester as a mentor I have learned many different things. A few
things being that I am a leader and like to help others that could use it. As the
session progressed it made me start to think more about my future and how I can
better it. I started to put my education on another level of seriousness. I view
servicing the community as something that not only benefits the community but
also the doer. It teaches you lessons and more about yourself that you didn’t know
before. I enjoyed my mentoring experience so far and hope to make it better next
semester.