At City Gateway, we know that helping young people to succeed isn’t just about securing qualifications or gaining new experiences, it’s about supporting them, giving them advice and providing someone they can talk openly and honestly to. That’s where our Student Mentor Syed comes in.
We caught up with Syed to find out more about his role.
Q: What is a Student Mentor? What does your role involve? What does a typical ‘day in the life of’ a Student Mentor look like?
A: A Student Mentor is someone who helps motivate and support young people in a learning environment. My role includes having one-to-one sessions with mentees to encourage and support them, to make and discuss support plans with them and to catch up on their progress.
My days are always busy organising activities with my mentees, making sure they are doing ok and following the plan we have set out. The most important part of my day however is making sure all my mentees are motivated.
Q: What first attracted you to becoming a Student Mentor?
A: I was attracted to being a Student Mentor as I mentored a few people before I joined City Gateway and I wanted to improve my own basic mentoring knowledge.
Q: What has been the most rewarding element for you mentoring other young people?
A: The most rewarding element of being a Student Mentor is using my own experience and knowledge to help learners to better progress and be motivated in the outside world, whether that’s in an apprenticeship, full time work or whatever they are wanting to do. It’s nice knowing I had some part to play in helping them succeed.
Q: What has been the most challenging element for you mentoring other young people?
A: The most challenging element of mentoring young people is encouraging them out of their shell. Sometimes it can be hard for any of us to hear the advice a mentor has to give, and that means it can take time to build that relationship and encourage students to engage with me. It’s my role to understand what their barriers are to engaging and finding ways we can work together effectively.
Q: What do you think the young people you mentor get out of the experience? How have you seen them develop/change?
A: I think it’s really valuable for them that they have someone to talk to who is around their age, who understands if they have a lack of motivation and low self-esteem, and who can help them overcome these barriers. I’ve noticed a real change in those I’ve mentored and seen them develop from someone with low self-esteem to someone with improved confidence and motivation to get their work done.
Q: What has been the biggest learning you have had from being a Student Mentor?
A: Being a Student Mentor, I’ve learnt a lot about myself and the mentees, but I’ve also learnt from my mentees about how to improve myself and be a better Student Mentor. I’ve learnt to listen more closely to my mentees and watch their body language to understand what they truly wish to say to me.
Q: What would the young people you mentor say is the greatest benefit of having access to a Student Mentor?
A: I think the young people would say the greatest benefit of having a Student Mentor is having someone who understands and cares for them and wants them to achieve their very best in whatever they want to do.
If you’re currently studying at City Gateway and you’d like to speak to Syed about the support he can offer you, then speak to him when you’re next in, he’s always there to welcome you.
