I am a mentor day: Jon Parry

What made you want to become a mentor?

The decision to volunteer as a mentor on the RISE programme was in part as I have previously mentored a Year 10 student at an Academy in Salford and a new member of staff in a client organisation.

Both previous instances were very different but both hugely rewarding in terms of being able to share my life experiences and learnings and pass on advice which has hopefully helped them both despite being at very different stages of their careers and development.

What have you learnt that you didn’t expect to?

Although exceptionally cliched, I am a great believer that every day is a school day and you do not stop learning no matter how old or experienced you are. One of the great things about mentoring is the different perspectives you get from your mentees. It is certainly a two way experience which benefits both parties and therefore hugely rewarding, as well as the feeling you are giving something back.

I don’t have any formal mentoring training and no real set approach but try and just get a rapport and confidence with the mentee and what works for them as well as you. Sometimes it is as simple as having a different perspective on an issue or a challenge and sometimes passing on learnings from your own experiences. It is also key to understand what they want from you and the discussions. Is it some specific area, issue or challenge or some advice on longer term goals and how to achieve them. Sometimes it is just access to someone more senior in your organisation, discipline or team or even just someone you can have on open and honest discussion with, knowing it is fully confidential.