Mentors | dptknow

Mentors

Having a mentors was one of the best things that ever happened to me in my academic career. My mentors have helped me in so many ways it is hard to name them all. I wanted to write this post to help others seek out mentors. Why should you seek out a mentor? Here is a list of how I benefited from mine:

Research opportunities
Networking opportunities
Moral support
Academic support
Information on events or things that may interest you
You one day will be colleagues in the same field
Someone who is in your corner when you feel lost, and will encourage you to excel

I definitely recommend that you be proactive and seek out mentors who you are inspired by. I know for some it is a difficult conversation to have or you are unsure of who to ask. Well that is when doing your research comes in. You have to reach out to anyone who you feel can influence you in a positive manor. Not all my mentors have been physical therapists there has been a wide range of them. The best way to begin the process of looking for a mentor is to:

Email a professor who has interests that align with yours
Email a professor who is in a different field from yours who you would like to learn from
If you are interested in research –reach out to a professor conducting research in a department that interests you
If you are a part of an organization and have a guest speaker come who really inspires you reach out and start a conversation.
If there is a professor who has been extremely helpful to you –let them know and thank them. Ask if you can meet with them outside of class for some extra help or because you would like advice on your academics
If you are often involved with a specific resource center on campus get to know the director and offer to volunteer
Find someone who is available and will have time to answer emails and meet with you. Make sure they are present.

These are just a few ways that in the past I have found mentors. I used to be afraid to start that conversation, but what I have found is that good mentors take you under their wing. They check in with you and want to get to know you. They see opportunities and tell you about them to help you grow.

For example here is a list of those who have mentored me:

Director of the Latino Resource Center on my undergraduate campus – I have known her for four years and she has always encourage me to do my best in my academics. She has written countless recommendation letters for me and has been a shoulder that I could lean on when I needed support. She also introduced me to other colleagues of hers that were in higher education that could direct me to someone I could talk to –if it was let’s say for a particular physical therapy program. She also told me about many opportunities that were offered for students. She told me about a Summer Research Opportunities Program – where I conducted research under another mentor of mine.
My next mentor was a DPT professor at another institution who I did research with over a summer. She has kept in touch with me over the past four years, and given me tons of advice. She always encouraged me to pursue PT after every time I tried and did not get in. She wrote countless letters of recommendation for me as well. She inspired me to pursue pediatrics.
Another mentor of mine was actually an athletic trainer that was at my institution. He helped me with my honors capstone. The topic was concussions and return to play guidelines, which he really helped me learn about and develop a strong literature review. I learned a lot about how athletic trainers and physical therapists work together.
Another mentor I have is a physical therapist at my undergraduate institution. She involved me with her research for those in low-income neighborhoods. She wanted to know what their access to physical therapy was. She truly inspired me to work with minority populations, promote preventative care, and make sure that everyone has access to physical therapy. Even now she is one of my strong supporters who when I thought about pursuing another career because of failing to get in to PT school, looked at me and said “You were meant to be a PT, don’t lose sight of that”. She really has always believed in me!

I took something away from everyone who has ever mentored me. I still stay in touch with them because they have helped, and will continue to help me grow as a person. I am forever grateful for every single one of them!

So I encourage YOU to get out there and seek a mentor! They can definitely change your life and help you grow in so many ways.