How to Connect with a Christian College Mentor

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

Mentorship makes a difference.

The Bible has no shortage of mentorship relationships — Jesus and his disciples, first and foremost. Paul and Timothy are other good examples, among others.

We all need mentors in our lives who are further down life's path to support and encourage us, offer biblical wisdom, and keep us accountable to walk in our faith.

Christian mentorship in college is especially important for students to grow in their faith, be resourced for their future careers, and hone their servant leadership skills.

Indeed, according to a Gallup-Purdue Index Report, college graduates who had mentorship during college were more than 1.5 times more likely to be thriving in all areas of well-being and nearly 2.5 times more likely to be engaged at work.

However, it can be challenging to know where and how to connect with Christian college mentors. Read on for some practical and accessible ways you can find a mentor.

How Can I Find a Mentor?

First, it's good to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mentoring. College mentors could be anyone from a career professional in your desired field to a trusted acquaintance, an educational adviser, or even a peer mentor who might be a few years ahead of you in their academic and professional journey.

You may even find value in receiving mentorship from multiple sources as you discover and distill your God-given calling.

If you're wondering how to find a Christian mentor in college, there are a few proactive steps you can take to set yourself up for success. Be sure to prayerfully and intentionally pursue your education and future career goals along the way.

Take Advantage of Campus Resources

Many colleges offer career centers and professional development resources for students that help connect the dots and pave the way toward mentorship.

DBU's Center for Career and Professional Development provides quality services to help you find and fulfill God's call on your life as a servant leader. One of those is the Center for Mentoring, which helps you connect with faculty and staff who will walk with you, guide you in seeking God's will, and help prepare you for navigating life after college.

DBU even offers flash mentoring, which is a one-time meeting or discussion that enables a student to learn and seek guidance from a more experienced graduate student or professional who can pass on relevant knowledge and experience. Even though it's just a one-time meeting, this type of mentoring can provide a valuable learning opportunity for mentees to explore a role or industry or learn more about working abroad, getting an MBA, attending law school, leading a church, and so much more.

Get Involved in a Local Church

While making connections on campus is invaluable, so is getting involved in a local church and cultivating relationships there. Not only will this help you grow in your spiritual life and your walk with God, but you might meet your future mentor there.

Sometimes, professors, campus leaders, and grad students may even attend the same church and can help you further get plugged into the community, meet potential mentors, and suggest Bible studies and small groups to attend.

DBU has a strong partnership with many local churches in the DFW area that you may want to explore.

Join a Student Club or Organization

The connections you make throughout your college career can be as valuable as the knowledge you gain. Joining a student club or professional organization can open doors to a network of individuals who can become lifelong friends, as well as mentors and collaborators. These connections can also extend beyond campus, providing a bridge to future career opportunities.

DBU is committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment for our students that offers benefits on many levels, including mentorship. That's why we offer a wide range of student clubs and organizations, including academic and professional societies, sports clubs, and spiritual groups. Some examples of DBU student clubs that promote networking and relationship-building include the DBU Business Society, Student Government Association, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Attend Events and Conferences

College is often jam-packed with events. But when you're looking to meet a potential Christian mentor, it can be helpful to thoughtfully engage in some of these faith- and education-based opportunities like panel discussions, lectures, and conferences in your field of study.

But that doesn't mean you have to rule out more socially geared student life events, either! Just getting out there and meeting new people can be helpful in your mentorship journey.

Don't Forget to Make the Ask

You've done the work and pursued opportunities to put yourself out there and meet a Christian mentor, but remember to actually make the ask!

While it can feel intimidating and awkward, you'll often need to make the first move as a mentee if you're interested in developing a mentoring relationship.

Before you ask, think through what you'd like to say. Remember, it's important to have clarity about your mentorship goals so you can be specific. You may even want to suggest a meeting cadence — for example, getting together for lunch once a month.

Christian college mentors can add so much value to your experience on and off campus as you navigate career decisions, strengthen your faith, and grow in your servant leadership.

DBU is committed to connecting transformational education with your vocational calling. Our career-related advising and resources can help equip you to find mentorship while assisting you with making connections between your academic experience and career path.