Reflecting on an exciting term as an upper-year mentor

Monday, May 16, 2022
by Sanovar, AFM student

The importance of active listening in coaching and mentorship

sanovar headshot
When I saw the opportunity to be an upper-year mentor this term with the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF), I knew I had to take it. Throughout my time at university, my experiences and success can ultimately be attributed to my mentors, who’ve dedicated a lot of their time to coaching and supporting me. I would not be who I am today without those mentors, and I wanted to give back to the SAF community by providing a similar experience to younger students.

Through supporting first-year students who are navigating in-person university life for the first time, I was able to take away many key learning and teaching techniques that mentors can apply when coaching and providing guidance to their mentees. Through my experience as a mentor this term, one of the most important characteristics I developed was the ability to be an active listener. By having a positive and non-judgmental attitude, paying attention to my mentees, and being able to adjust, I was increasingly attentive and effective in providing guidance. Being an active listener also allowed me to build trust, identify problems and find better solutions, and expand my knowledge, which contributed to better mentorship sessions.