The Accidental Mentor



One of the resolutions I had for the new year was to really own my job and make it my own. For the first time in my working life, I feel like I have a career instead of a job, and I'm enjoying it. My boss is a busy man who can really frustrate me sometimes, but there are times when he really nails the whole boss thing. A moment recently drove that point home.

Unlike some bosses I've had in the past, he not only genuinely wants to see me succeed, he sees my potential and fully expects me to move upwards and outwards, if the case may be. We were having a conversation not long ago where I mentioned that there was a peer-led activity that I didn't go to (it wasn't mandatory) because I was busy and didn't want to take the time away from my tasks to attend. My boss, in his infinite wisdom, said, "Well, I'm not telling you what to do, but if I were you..." and then proceeded to list off some great reasons why I should've gone. I realized that all of his points were valid and made complete sense, so I proceeded to enter the next such meeting in my calendar.

Later that same day, he came out of his office to expand upon what he had said earlier. He told me that I should consider taking some courses in some things that he thought I displayed proficiency in and followed it with, "You should always strive to learn something new, especially in the modern career landscape." It was definitely fuel for thought. As I sat at home later that night, I digested all he told me earlier that day. I went to my computer and applied for entry to the local community college and was accepted the next day. When enrollment for the next quarter rolled around a few weeks later, I signed up for a course. 

When I finished my Bachelor's degree several years ago, I was also fresh out of three years of community college where I had been pursuing an associate degree in nursing. I figured out quickly that nursing was not the field for me and wrapped up the few things I needed to finish my B.A. in Religious Studies. When all was said and done, I was sick and tired of doing homework and my desire for higher education was squashed. I had young children and I was ready to just go back into the working realm. I was surprised, then, to find that at this point in my life, I am ready to learn again. I'm not even put off by the idea of doing homework. 

My boss has become my accidental mentor, inspiring me to do more...be more. I'm excited about a new direction in life, an unexpected one, and all the possibilities it holds. Thanks, Boss.

Class starts in March, wish me luck.









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