Why Mentor?

January 10, 2012

by Mindi Schaefer, Poling | Petrello

Mentoring involves helping, guiding, and leading others to their desired goals. Whether a new job or a decision to pursue further education, mentors provide a sounding board to mentees. Mentors give mentees their thoughts, ideas, and opinions to assist in big or small decisions. Mentoring is a self-less act to help others. It is rewarding and personally satisfying to provide valuable experience and insight to others.

Mentees are able to obtain valuable advice and coaching while mentors are able to gain personal satisfaction. Both mentors and mentees can learn from one another's experiences and stories and utilize that information to grow into flourishing paralegals. Mentoring provides an opportunity for everyone to learn and grow personally and professionally.

The foundation of my creation - PACO's Mentoring Program - lies in my desire "to pay it forward" to other paralegals. I wanted to help fellow paralegals succeed just as paralegals before guided me to my success. Paying it forward through mentoring was the best way to achieve this.

It began with a vision of senior paralegals guiding and leading student and junior paralegals down a path to success within the field. The program flourished into a networking collaboration among paralegals of all experience levels and specialties. In the age of a shaky economy, networking in any profession has become a must for all. PACO's program provides an avenue for networking.

Whether junior paralegals, student paralegals, or paralegals in job field transitions, I wanted the Mentoring Program to provide mentees with an avenue for help, guidance, networking, and leadership from senior paralegals mentors. The Mentoring Program gives mentors and mentees an opportunity to share experiences and skills.

The Mentoring Program has had over thirty mentor/mentee pairings since the program began. It continues to accept applications from senior paralegals, junior paralegals, student paralegals, and paralegals in job field transitions. If you or someone you know is interested in this program, contact PACO Mentoring Program Committee Chair, Mindi Schaefer, at mschaefer@poling-law.com or (614) 737-2914.