Role model and mentor play a crucial role in molding our path and guiding us towards accomplishments. They inspire us to be true potentials, provide guidance in times of confusion and offer valuable insights based on their own experiences.
A mentor is an individual who takes on the responsibility of providing support and guidance to help others to achieve their goals. Mentor provides guidance, support and feedback to help another person grow and develop. Mentor can be older or more experienced and knowledgeable individual who shares their expertize and can be a teacher, coache, colleague, who possesses specific skills or knowledge in a particular area.
Role model is someone who inspires and motivates others through their achievements, values and behaviors. Not always have to be older individual, can come from vary facets of life, regardless of age or position. Often someone to look up to and aim to imitate, can be a public figure, celebrity, friend, or family member who has achieved remarkable success. We admire them for their character traits, values or accomplishments.
While a role model serve in this position without realizing their impact on individual and can inspire from a distance especially social media, a mentor works closely with the individual to help them achieve their goals. A mentor is someone with whom you have a personal relationship with, who offers guidance, advice and a sounding board for your ideas. You can have multiple role models but typically have fewer mentors but sometimes a mentor can become a role model and vice versa.
Younger writers often look up to literary icons like Wole Soyinka and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as role models. In the fashion world, Victoria James (Veekee James), a Nigerian designer, inspires many. Football enthusiasts aspire to emulate legends like Kanu Nwankwo. Medical students strive to follow in the footsteps of renowned surgeons like Ben Carson.
Entrepreneurially-minded individuals admire successful business leaders like Michael Adenuga. Many Christians find spiritual guidance in the example of Enoch Adejare Adeboye, while Muslims look up to respected religious leaders like Abdullahi Abdulazeez, the Chief Imam of Nigeria. These individuals serve as inspirations and role models across various fields.”
However, a mentor is likely to be the most productive and meaningful way of achieving the personal and professional outcomes you desires because it is more personal and relevant. Even mentors often have their own mentors.
A mentorship provides a steady source of encouragement and advice ; implanting a greater sense of confidence. Through discussing strategies, receiving constructive feedback and learning from their experience, they aid to identify and correct mistakes and bring out potentials on mentee. Also, help mentee gain insight into their interests and abilities, provide a sense of belonging and connection on what you are good at.
Nevertheless, the vital role of a role model is to inspire and motivate; inspire to set higher goals and strive for excellence their achievements and success stories and show what is possible when you are hard working, dedicated and have patience. In challenging times they motivate you and remind you that you can overcome obstacles and achieve your dreams. Their experiences and knowledge can amplify your growth and open doors to new opportunities.
At its core, having a mentor and role model is not only gainful but also essential for personal and professional growth. They said ‘ You learn from experience’ but who say it must be your experience? By looking up to them you can learn valuable lessons, set higher goals and become best version of yourself.
Ayinde Toluwase Rachael is a 300 Level student of Mass Communication department,
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria , Kaduna State.