Blogger: Mike Rethage

For any Seinfeld fans out there, you’d remember an episode where Jerry has a girlfriend who always needs a mentor, somebody she can go to for guidance.  As the episode progresses they make light of her need to have a guiding role in her life.

I myself relate to a lot of what happens in Seinfeld episodes.  It is probably my favorite show of all time, and I love watching re-runs because the situations mostly apply to everyday life today as well, however many years later.

I bring up this reference because like in the episode, sometimes we need a mentor in our own lives.  Whether it be parent, sibling, advisor, or close friend often times in life we turn to someone for guidance or wisdom.  What’s amazing to me is with social media today its like our whole friend list can become this influence on us.  We can easily post a status or tweet about something going on, and we can often get encouragement, advice, or sometimes criticism with-in seconds.  The ability to communicate is becoming increasingly easier, it makes our influence into somebody’s life from a distant sideline easier and easier.  Now we leave a comment without having to actually call and chat.  Is it getting away from important personal contact, yes.  BUT are there advantages?  Absolutely.

I talk about this because recently I’ve had the opportunity to communicate my experiences with some people.  I’ve realized that its something I really enjoy doing.  One example was last week I spoke to one of Penn State Altoona’s Entrepreneurship classes with Professor Donna Bon via Skype webcam.  It was a lot of fun, the students had some great questions, and I loved talking with them from many miles away.  In addition I just started a program with some students at another University closer to home to mentor and help them with career decisions.

The point I’m trying to make is, we all have these opportunities in life where we can “feed our soul.”  I heard that phrase a few weeks ago from someone and loved it.  In my eyes, being able to communicate the choices I’ve made to help my professional and personal life, into something somebody else could possibly learn from is this type of experience.  BUT it shows that we all have something to offer.  A good friend of mine says, if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.

Sure we are all busy, however, each one of us has something to give.  With expanding technology we all can be mentors in our daily lives.  As we all will eventually turn to someone else for guidance or advice someday ( I do it all the time), I think its important for us all to strive to pay it forward and be the mentor.