August 01, 2017

The Power and Purpose of Mentorship

Jessica Rivera, Earl Woods Scholar with Mentor David
Earl Woods Scholar and Stanford rising sophomore Jessica Rivera with mentor David Gitter.

This fall, the Tiger Woods Foundation will welcome 25 college freshmen to the Earl Woods Scholar Program. Each scholar will have the chance to connect with a dedicated mentor who will support and guide them through their college years. The mentorship component of the program has proven to be both valuable and memorable for our students, particularly those that are leaving home for the first time.

A recent PricewaterhouseCoopers study confirms that 98% of millennials believe working with a mentor is a necessary component in development. Put simply, people go to people. Why? Because they can interpret, synthesize, express and convey needed information better than any technology or Google search. Mentors share their experiences and that makes the learning personal and therefore memorable

Mentoring involves asking smart questions and listening. Mentors provide a thoughtful and candid story-telling of what they did, why they did it, and what was learned. Equally important is the translation of that experience into a language the scholars can readily understand and apply.

For first-generation students who are the first in their families to go to college, a strong mentor can be just the guiding force needed to ensure a successful experience. As a mentor, the habits, practices and beliefs that are shared help increase the odds that our scholars will be successful in their college journey and beyond.

This year, Tiger Woods Foundation mentors follow a long-standing tradition of serving 100% of our Earl Woods scholars. Around the nation each of our mentors will be providing sage advice, a listening ear, and sometimes just a welcome break from the rigors of higher education.

To learn more about the Earl Woods Scholar Program and to receive information about becoming a mentor, please email Lea Segura at the Tiger Woods Foundation.

 

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