One of my favorite parts of mentorship is the chance to completely nerd out.

There are very few spaces where you can jump in and ask every question that crosses your mind about the industry. With mentorship, no question feels too small, too silly, or too specific. Instead, eagerness, interest, and a desire to dig deeper are welcomed and appreciated.

After countless questions, pages of notes, and many “aha” moments, here are four lessons I’ve learned.

1. Mentorship Offers a View of What’s Possible

One of the most valuable parts of my mentorship program has been connecting with both early-career communicators and executive-level professionals.

Those earlier in their career offer a fresh perspective on the transition from college to an entry-level role. They can give a glimpse into what their role entails beyond a job description and speak to their day-to-day responsibilities and challenges. Senior leaders can offer a different insight on how careers evolve, how businesses and teams grow, and how the industry has changed over time.

As a college student, I find that I spend most of my time around people in my same stage of life: other students, interns, and emerging professionals. Mentorship gives me a chance to look beyond that group. I can learn from those who are in a similar position to the one I hope to hold in the next five years, as well as those who are in positions I hope to be in later on.

That perspective makes my own goals feel more tangible. Instead of viewing my future as a distant and intimidating destination, I can see the stages that it takes to get there. I can now picture what my growth might look like in four years, 10 years, and beyond. Plus, knowing people who have already achieved many of the goals I hope to reach makes those goals feel less out of reach, which is incredibly empowering.

2. Mentorship Builds Confidence

As a college student, it is hard to gain confidence in professional spaces.

While college offers opportunities to build important skills, there is still a difference between practicing in a classroom and walking into your first client meeting.

My courses have offered me experience creating slide decks, writing press releases, and using social media tools, but my mentorship offers deeper insights. I’ve learned the day-to-day realities of agency life by seeing the back end of media monitoring platforms, reviewing real client deliverables, and even witnessing just how many meetings can fit into one Outlook calendar.

My mentorship has also helped me feel more prepared for the workforce. I have had my resume and portfolio reviewed, I’ve learned valuable news resources for PR, and I’ve gained experience communicating with people across different levels of seniority. While I may still get nervous walking into a room of professionals, I now feel much more certain that I belong there.

3. Mentorship Creates a Safe Space to Ask Questions

Oftentimes, students and younger professionals feel hesitant to ask questions, especially when we think the answer may be obvious to everyone else in the room. What’s great about mentorship is that it creates a space where curiosity is encouraged and anyone can ask questions without the fear of being embarrassed.

Some questions may be smaller: What do I wear to a professional event? How should I manage day-to-day client communications? What should my pitch email look like?

Others may be more substantial: How do I balance professionalism and friendliness? How do I advocate for opportunities for myself? How do I know if I’m on the right path?

Both types of questions, whether big or small, matter. Some answers may keep me from overdressing for an event, and others help me to navigate professional environments and clarify a future path. Ultimately, mentorship provides a safe space to confess the things I don’t know and learn from them.

4. Mentorship Creates a Ripple Effect

Perhaps the best part of mentorship is the ripple effect it creates. At Kaplow, the guidance one person receives is often passed forward to someone else. My mentor, Brianna, was a past Kaplow scholar and was guided by Sofie and Liz. Now, as a senior account executive at Kaplow, she is leading my mentorship under the same scholarship program. I am now not only learning from Brianna, but also from the same people who helped guide her.

It is meaningful to know that the support I am receiving has already helped someone else grow, and I hope one day I am able to provide that same support and play a role in someone’s journey.

So, for any young NYWICI member, I urge you to take advantage of the deep bond and sisterhood this organization offers. Find professionals you admire, ask questions, and learn as much as you can from their knowledge.

I am incredibly grateful to Brianna, Liz, Sofie, and the entire Kaplow team for welcoming my curiosity, sharing their experiences, and investing in my growth. Their generosity has shown me that mentorship is less about finding the perfect career path and more about learning from the people who will be there to help you along the way. While building a career can feel scary, mentorship means that you don’t have to do it alone.