I first realized the importance of mentors during my last two years of high school because of two teachers who had a significant impact on my career. I recently posted on the PRSSA blog about Mentors in Public Relations, but I had more to say.

My journalism teacher, Mrs. Tong, helped me find my passion for writing and design, which eventually led me to PR. She gave me a lot of responsibility as executive editor and I found out how much I enjoyed being a leader. (See her and the 2006 broadcasting class to the right…I’m the short one!).

My creative writing/speech and drama teacher, Mrs. Chema, also had an impact on me. She was very encouraging and very easy to talk to. She talked to me about writing, law (I was interested in becoming a lawyer then), college and more.

So how do mentors help you once you’re in college and preparing for a career?

Well, here’s how my college mentors have been helping me.

Last Saturday, I met one of my newest mentors. One of the perks of being an Allan Schoenberg Award recipient is being mentored by Allan himself (picture to left is of us at the conference last weekend). Allan has mentored many PRSSA students so far and I’m very excited to be a mentee. Allan has offered me ideas and advice via Twitter, which is how we usually keep in touch, and also has been helping me by taking a look at my cover letter.

Another mentor, Kevin Saghy, has talked to me about working at agencies, running for a national position and preparing a resume. Kevin was assigned to be my mentor at The Creative Career (which is in need of more mentors, so please sign up).

Two of the people I worked with at CMU Public Relations and Marketing have also been great mentors. Dan Digmann and Cynthia Drake gave great advice during my internship and I have stayed in contact with them both.

Nikki Stephan and Lauren Weber, both who are CMU alumni, have been like mentors too. Due to Twitter, I’ve been able to stay in contact with them since job shadowing them in 2007.

How do you be a good mentee?

I’ve found one of the key things with mentors is to maintain the relationship. When I find interesting information online that I think would interest a mentor, I send it on to them. For my mentors who are on Twitter, I try to talk to them when I can. It’s not all about helping the mentee–it should be a two-way relationship.

As a mentee, I think you also have the responsibility to be a mentor. For example, I gave advice to Dan about his new Web site. Although he has years of experience as a writer, I have more experience in social media. I also think it is important to mentor those who have less experience than you do. It can be as easy as helping a friend with a press release.

How Have Mentors Helped Your Career?

Here’s a few tweets about mentors:

ArizonaBrian I wouldn’t be in the position I am today w/o my mentors – the networking opps and advice they provided for me are priceless

kristen_okla I have 2 amazing mentors ~ taught me the basics of PR but also how to play in a man’s business world … and so much more.

CredibleKev They are your go-to sounding board for when you need a gut check.

Rachel M. Esterline works as an account executive for Central Michigan Life, the nationally award-winning school newspaper at Central Michigan University. She is as an account executive for PR Central, CMU’s student-run public relations firm and as a public relations executive with the Student Government Association. Additionally, Rachel serves on the executive board of the Public Relations Student Society of America at CMU and has completed a seven-month internship with her university’s public relations and marketing department. Rachel will graduate in May 2010 with a degree in public relations with minors in journalism and communication.