Dictionary.com defines a mentor as “an experienced and trusted advisor.”1 Mentoring is less of a one-sided path to success and more of a relationship between two individuals who are committed to developing skills and knowledge.2
Mentorship is unique to each person and is crucial, especially on your journey through optometry school, to allow you to be as equipped as possible for the real world when you graduate. Even after you become a doctor, mentor guidance can still be just as valuable!
Mentorship in optometry can begin before you even set foot in optometry school! It then can continue throughout 1st year and your entire optometric career. It can be of use in the classroom, navigating networking opportunities, clinic encounters, and when you’re out practicing in the real world. In order to get the most out of your mentor experience, you must be willing to put in effort to maintain these relationships.
Finding and fostering a relationship with someone you work well with can be difficult if you don’t know where to begin, so here are a few strategies to effectively find and maximize mentor relationships.
Identify what you want from the mentor experience
As a student, student clinician, or doctor, your goals may be different from others sharing your same experiences. The idea is to find a mentor who will be able to give you valid feedback concerning the things you hope to accomplish.
Are you disappointed in your academic performance and want your GPA to be a few points higher? Do you not feel as confident seeing patients as you think you should be? Or do you simply want to find someone who practices the way you envision yourself practicing in the future?
Based on your needs, your mentor will help you set a foundation and build on it at each session.
How to find the right optometry mentor
After you establish your goals, you must find a person who fits your criteria when it comes to expertise, communication, values, and personality. Your mentor should be just as interested in your success as you are in their help.
When school begins, it feels most comfortable for students to start building relationships with professors and/or doctors at their school or university. These individuals are great resources to help students become acclimated to a new environment.
For example, when I decided that I had a special interest in cornea and contact lenses, I gravitated toward my professors who had relevant experience in that area and could testify to what their journey was like and the steps that I could take to begin my own similar journey.
On the other hand, it is important to note that every mentor is not one-size-fits-all; you can learn valuable things from multiple people in multiple areas, especially if you want guidance on more than just academics. A lot of my best learning moments also came from upperclassmen who were willing to give a fresh and recent perspective on school and out-of-school experiences.
After building these initial relationships, they may be able to introduce you to others whose insight may be of value to you.
Steps for a successful introduction
Reaching out for the first time can be nerve-wracking, especially if the desired person is someone you don’t know very well.
A simple introduction is best:
- Tell them who you are and your purpose for reaching out.
- Let them know why you chose them and what you admire about them/their work.
- Express interest in a future conversation if they desire.
Once you find someone who is motivated and enthusiastic about helping you, it will be up to you to take the reins! See here some tips on how to make the most out of your time:
Meeting your mentor
Once you find someone that fits your criteria, it is paramount that you be proactive in the communication. Showing that you are committed and truly want to gain something from this experience will help your relationship with them be more meaningful and productive. Though they may be motivated to help you, it is your job to tell them how they can help. What that looks like is different for everyone.
When meeting with your mentor, you want to be respectful of their time. Aim to be as organized and as purposeful as you can. Scheduling meetings ahead of time can help you stay consistent and professional.
Welcome constructive feedback
One of the main jobs of a mentor is to provide constructive criticism. Constructive criticism is unique to your experience and often goes beyond general suggestions.3 It includes your mentor pinpointing specific areas of improvement in your journey while giving examples of ways to improve and offering effective recommendations.
My number one weakness when it comes to receiving constructive criticism is taking the feedback personally. Often when I’d feel like my character and actions were being attacked, it was only my mentor scoping out areas of improvement that I didn’t even recognize before. Keep an open mind when you are receiving advice, use the advice to improve and grow, and then notice how much development happens!
With that being said, let your mentor know how you prefer to receive information. Depending on your personality, it may be easier for them to “give it to you straight,” or it may be easier for you to absorb information in analogies or metaphors.
Practice active listening and communication
It is important that your mentor knows you are benefitting from their contributions in order to build trust and continue to give feedback tailored to your needs. Try your best to actively listen by limiting distractions. Make sure that your cell phone is out of reach and on silent.
Active listening goes beyond just hearing the words that are spoken. This includes being fully present in order to comprehend the information being said along with the emotion behind the words.4 What helped me get the most out of my mentor sessions was all the tips above, paying attention to verbal and nonverbal cues, reflecting, and most importantly, asking clarifying questions for understanding.
Lastly, recapping the conversation from your session will solidify that you have a good grasp of the feedback you’ve received. You also want to be as honest as possible with your mentor. Have a progress report ready to share for each meeting.
Let them know what you’re excelling at and what you’re struggling with. Are you nailing a concept in class but can’t seem to apply it in-clinic? Didn’t get as many networking opportunities at an event as you planned? Be detailed! This will allow your mentor to offer the most relevant and productive advice.
Commit to check-ins
No matter how much work you put in at the beginning, remember that progress does not come overnight. It will take time to develop a strong relationship with your mentor, so consistency is key. Try your best to schedule regular check-ins, even when your curriculum is getting difficult, and you feel that you don’t have much free time.
Also, realize that your mentor may not be available when you need them at certain times. During these intervals, keep applying the knowledge you’ve gained while appreciating the occasional periods of slow growth.
Expand your network through your optometry mentor
Think of your mentor as a key to the door of many professional and personal connections that you may not have had otherwise. A lot of young people (myself included once before) are hesitant to start branching out into unfamiliar territory so as to not feel superficial or “fake.”
However, it is estimated that 70 to 85% of jobs are secured by networking.5 There are also various research studies that show that individuals who network are more successful in making informed career decisions and finding unique job opportunities.6
In optometry, keeping a good relationship with your mentor can be crucial for meeting the right people and job hunting when the time comes. Mentors can also connect you to other people that can help fill in the gaps in your self-improvement journey.
The saying “it pays to know people” applies to more than just monetary opportunities. Having a network of well-respected and intelligent individuals is a great way to accelerate your growth and experience not only in clinical scenarios, but in your personal life as well!
Here are a few ways a mentor can help you grow outside of an optometric setting:
Goal setting
Short- and long-term goals are important to provide a healthy amount of motivation and discipline when you feel like you don’t know what the next steps are. Mentors can help map out realistic goals and timelines to help you reach milestones.
Accountability
This goes hand-in-hand with goal setting. Having goals is the first step, but learning how to stick to those goals and staying focused is something a mentor can help you accomplish.
Confidence building
Confidence can help improve performance in all areas including school, communication, and personal endeavors. Believing in yourself and your abilities can be difficult, but having somewhere there to give advice, tips, and reassurance can help you reach your full potential!
Show your appreciation
Every piece of advice and feedback your mentor shares gives you the opportunity to escape complacency and get the wheels of growth spinning. Think of each message as a gem in your treasure box to access whenever needed.
Though change can be overwhelming at first, implementing small ways to get better will help you to become the best version of yourself. Also remember that your mentor is taking time out of their busy schedule to support you, so it is paramount that you express your gratitude towards them when you can.
Here are a few ways to show your appreciation:
1. Keep your mentor in the know about goals you’ve accomplished.
Often, the satisfaction of providing mentees with the tools they need to reach their goals is enough, but even more, reassurance is felt when they know those tools have been used effectively to succeed. Include examples of when their advice helped you in specific situations and how they made you a better version of yourself.
2. Send a thank-you note or give a thoughtful gift.
As mentioned before, mentoring should not be a one-sided relationship. Expressing appreciation through a hand-written note or gift reinforces their impact as a positive role model in your life. Make your message personal and sincere.
3. Pay it forward.
Mentoring is a tough role that requires selflessness and volunteering time to someone who strives for greatness. Knowing all of the sacrifices your mentor made for you, try to pass on your knowledge to someone else you know who is in your same position.
Even if you do not become a mentor yourself, you never know how one piece of advice can influence someone who needs it most!
Conclusion
Getting through optometry school is a challenge that is best accepted with help and guidance. Having a mentor can be the difference between complacency and opportunity.
Dig deep and do some self-evaluation on how you want to improve and grow, then take the necessary steps to find a trusted adviser. After a while, you may find yourself passing down your knowledge to others who are walking your same path!
