My Mentor, My Friend
The Career Development Mentor Program at the University of Southern California, is a unique mentoring program pairing undergraduate and graduate students of the School of Policy, Planning, and Development with a working professional for a negotiated period of time during the academic year. Mentors and mentees select each other based on common career and academic interests, as well as other experiences. The following poem appears in the Handbook for Mentors and Mentees and is used with permission:
Gratitude for Guidance: A Tribute to My Mentor
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to learn from you when I was seeking so much knowledge when I was asking many questions you patiently listened and answered accordingly never showing signs of frustration
Thank you for taking the time to show me the necessary skills today that will lead me with confidence into tomorrow for believing in me and having enough faith to share your work your dreams and your vision.
Thank you for accepting me as I am with all my eagerness and my sheer joy over the little things you never tried to squelch that spirit in me Instead, you have encouraged that spirit and for that, I do thank you.
I realized the knowledge I need for work can be learned anywhere, taught by most anyone but the life skills I needed that go along with it well, that would have to be taught by a very unique individual with a very special gift for giving a gift of patience and understanding that someone is you, my Mentor and now, my friend.
© Theresa Genter
