Do I need a mentor?

The world is full of challenges and as we negotiate our lives, most of us will form at least one relationship with a person we will refer to our mentor.

We may have different mentors at different stages of our lives, and we may even have more than one mentor at the same time, providing us with different forms of support and advice – depending on what is ‘going on’ at the time.

Mentors are particularly important for those going through high school, tertiary study and in the formative stages of their careers – even longer, in some instances.

So just who or what is a mentor? And (why) do I need one?

A mentor is an individual who guides, advises and supports another person (who in most cases is younger and almost always less experienced) – the latter often being referred to as the mentor’s protégé.

Mentors provide their knowledge, experience, and wisdom to assist the protégé in achieving his or her personal and/or professional goals and could be a family member, friend, teacher, tutor, sporting coach, life coach, religious adviser or a professional within a particular industry.

For young people, having a mentor or role model in most cases has a significant impact on their lives as mentors can serve as a source of inspiration, motivation, and guidance.

Mentors provide their ‘mentees’ with a positive influence as they navigate the challenges of growing up and/or achieving improvement – and hopefully success – academically, on the sporting field, in their chosen career….or simply in becoming a better person.

Here are just some of the reasons why mentors often prove beneficial to their protégés/students/followers/understudies:

1. They help develop Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem: Mentors usually help young people build self-confidence and self-esteem. Through their guidance and support, mentors can help young people recognise their strengths, set realistic goals and identify areas where they can improve.

2. They are Positive Role Models: Mentors serve as great role models for young people, demonstrating what it takes to achieve success and overcome obstacles. By observing their mentor’s behaviour, attitude and study, work or training ethic, young people can learn valuable life skills.

3. They provide Professional Development: A mentor can provide guidance on how to achieve career goals, develop skills and make informed decisions about their protégé’s future plans, studies, strategies and campaigns. For young people just starting out in their careers, a mentor can be an invaluable resource in navigating the challenges of finding a job and building a successful career.

4. They Help Build Support Networks: Having a mentor can help young people build support networks that can be invaluable as they experience life’s ups and downs. Mentors generally introduce young people to new contacts and help them develop relationships with others within their field of interest.This is often how the young person may meet another

At Invictus Solutions, our clients include young members of the Muslim community who may be struggling to define their purpose in life, especially when it comes to expectations, career goals, personal development, relationships and questions concerning their faith. Our services include counselling, consulting, mentoring and school and community workshops.

Our mentoring sessions are led by qualified, experienced and in many cases award-winning members of our team of facilitators, headed by Invictus Solutions inspirational founder Dean Mousad.

We provide a safe haven for individuals to explore their goals, aspirations, and challenges, and to gain the tools and resources they need to succeed in life.

The role of mentors cannot be understated – they provide crucial guidance, support, and motivation especially to young people, helping those under their care to build self-confidence, develop life skills and achieve their goals.

At Invictus Solutions, we believe that mentoring is an essential part of our mission to empower young members of the Muslim community to achieve their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.