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​National Mentoring Day – October 27, 2020

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Since October 27 is National Mentoring Day, it’s the perfect time to think of a mentor that shaped you into who you are today. It’s time to celebrate them! National Mentoring Day was created to highlight the importance of mentoring in all forms. Award-winning business mentor Chelsey Baker founded the holiday with the aim to focus on how rewarding mentoring can be for everyone involved.

History of ​National Mentoring Day

Briton Chelsey Baker, an award-winning business mentor, started this day in 2014 to help recognize and celebrate mentoring in all its forms. The key message is to raise awareness of the invaluable and rewarding contribution that mentoring makes which has a huge impact on not only our economy but also our society.
 
The day aims to encourage interactive discussions, events, social media activities, and facilitate shared vision and synergies for everyone involved in the industry and to showcase the benefits of being a mentor and being mentored.
 
Leading professional mentoring organizations, mentors, key influencers, and thought leaders join together to celebrate the work mentors do to support individuals and businesses.
 
The theme for National Mentoring Day is “Mentoring Rocks,” which focuses on sharing experiences and paying tribute to mentoring received or given. Baker encourages everyone to show their appreciation for mentoring and to recognize mentors who have made a difference.
 
Author Anthony K. Tjan, writing in the Harvard Business Review, recently noted four ways to become a successful mentor:
  1. Put the relationship before the mentorship
  2. Focus on character rather than competency
  3. Shout loudly with your optimism, and keep quiet with your cynicism
  4. Be more loyal to your mentee than you are to your company
 
Finally, he adds, “the best mentors avoid overriding the dreams of their mentees.”

​National Mentoring Day timeline

2019
“Natural mentoring”

Writer Levi van Dam points out that while more than 5,000 U.S. mentoring organizations facilitate “stranger to stranger” matches for adolescents, only 5% percent of teens are successfully matched. He suggests a whole new approach: “”Natural mentors might be uncles, aunts, neighbors, teachers, sports coaches and acquaintances, on whom young people naturally fall back when times are difficult. And the positive impact can be tremendous.”

​October 2015
​The first annual National Mentoring Day

​National Mentoring Day was launched for the first time in the U.K. Many events took place including a mentoring summit in London.

March 2014
National Mentoring Day founded

​Chelsey Baker began the project that is National Mentoring Day.

2002
​A month of celebrating mentors

National Mentoring Month focused national attention on the need for mentors in hopes of growing the mentor community.

​National Mentoring Day FAQs

What is the difference between national mentoring day and national mentoring month?

Both aim to help people find mentors and create fruitful relationships that help both people have more fulfilled lives and careers. The day tends to be a more concentrated effort, while the month is a little more flexible. 
 

When is National Mentoring Month?

January is National Mentoring Month so why not make a New Years Resolution to become a mentor or find one for yourself?
 

Why should I become a mentor?

Everyone has life experiences that can help the next generation get ahead. Why not impart that wisdom?

How to Observe ​National Mentoring Day

  1. Send a thank you note

    If a name came to mind when we asked you to think of a mentor from your past, write them a thank you card. Not only is it a kind gesture to show you appreciate their help, but it serves as a reminder of the impact mentors have on their mentees.

  2. Become a mentor

    Share the importance of mentoring by becoming part of the mentor community. Get in touch with local businesses, schools, and universities to see how you can make a difference for someone in need.

  3. Create a mentoring event

    If you're already a mentor or know of a program, help create an event to celebrate the results of mentoring. It can be a social media campaign sharing mentoring stories with a hashtag — or setting up a meeting to share tips on successful practices.

Mentoring By The Numbers

  1. Mentoring means business

    Percentage of mentored small businesses that survive for five years or more: 70

  2. ​Major value

    Percentage of mentees who say mentors are valuable: 97

  3. ​Effective mentoring creates effective results

    Percentage of businesses that saw an increase in productivity thanks to mentoring: 67

  4. More businesses could use a little help from friends

    ​Only 25% of small- and medium-sized businesses currently make use of business mentors

Why ​National Mentoring Day is Important

  1. Stories so touching — we might cry

    The holiday gives mentors and mentees a reason to share experiences that have helped their growth, goals, and career. Keep tissues at the ready.

  2. Worldwide mentor collaboration

    It gives mentors, key influencers, and leaders from around the world a chance to celebrate the work done — and also work together to find even more ways to make an impact. When more minds unite, more ideas are formed.

  3. Shows us all the ways

    This holiday also highlights the different forms mentoring can take. From youth mentoring to business mentoring, having an adviser can help at any stage in life or in your career.

​National Mentoring Day dates

YearDateDay
2020October 27Tuesday
2021October 27Wednesday
2022October 27Thursday
2023October 27Friday
2024October 27Sunday