Being E-Mentored Through #saGROW

I’m pleased to introduce Michael Goodman, who shared with me his thoughts on the #saGROW experience. I’m curious to hear from others like Michael, so if you want to share your story here as well, please email me!

In true student affairs graduate student form, I am eager, driven, and love twitter. It was pure luck that I came across the #saGRAD and #saGROW hashtags this spring, and even greater luck that an opportunity to be mentored was right at my fingertips (literally and figuratively). What interests me most in the idea of mentorship is that you can never predict what you’re going to get. I certainly did not realize I would have had such a unique experience on Twitter when I created yet another social networking identity, @mi_good.

When I first heard from Ed about participating in #saGROW, I was informed that I would be paired with @amberflickinger, a professional from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. In her first email to me, Amber said, “Hopefully, we’ll be able to learn a lot from each other.” That we did. We instantly connected while adding items to the ‘it’s a small world,’ book, sending emails back and forth, tweeting one another, and texting throughout the week. It really hit me when Amber asked me for suggestions on a presentation she was proposing for a conference. In that moment, I realized that this whole connection is not necessarily just about me. There are two parties involved in a mentoring relationship. This is what makes the bond so special… we both benefit. We both understand that in order for me to gain the most from this experience, Amber has to be open to learning, as well.

What makes Amber a good mentor? It’s not that she emails me once per week or sends me a text on the opening day of UIFI. What makes Amber a good mentor is that her care is genuine. And she isn’t someone I see every single day. In fact, I have never even met Amber in person. I wish more of my graduate student peers were taking advantage of this unique opportunity to grow and learn. And to think… it all started with a hashtag.

Are you a part of the #saGROW community? What have you gotten out the experience?

Michael Goodman attended the University of Central Oklahoma, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication with an emphasis in Leadership. In between undergraduate and graduate school, Michael worked at TOMS Shoes in Santa Monica, CA, Camp Champions summer camp in Marble Falls, TX, and Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI. Michael just finished his first year as a graduate student at Indiana University, where he holds an Assistantship in the Office of Student Life and Learning and the Office of Student Ethics and Anti-Harassment Programs. Michael will finish his Master’s degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs in May 2012.