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SunOct 27

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National Mentoring Day – October 27, 2024

U.S.

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
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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

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, and social media activities and facilitate a shared vision and synergies for everyone involved in the industry as well as 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.

National Mentoring Day 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:

Put the relationship before the mentorship.
Focus on character rather than competency.
Shout loudly with your optimism, and keep quiet with your cynicism.
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

2002

A Month of Celebrating Mentors

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

March 2014

National Mentoring Day Founded

Chelsey Baker begins the project that is National Mentoring Day.

October 2015

The First Annual National Mentoring Day

National Mentoring Day is launched for the first time in the U.K., on which many events take place including a mentoring summit in London.

2016

Inaugurated as an Official National Day

National Mentoring Day is officially inaugurated as a national day, uniting all national mentoring organizations.

2017

Announcement of Mentoring Mission

National Mentoring Day's mentoring mission is announced — "To make mentoring accessible to any individual, child, business or group that needs it, regardless of age, background or ethnicity."

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% of teens are successfully matched — he suggests a whole new approach: natural mentors like uncles, aunts, neighbors, teachers, sports coaches and acquaintances.

2020

A National Campaign is Launched

A national campaign is launched to ask "Everyone to commit one hour to mentor someone on 27th October. Everyone has skills and experience to share as a mentor. One word, one hour can be all that’s needed to effect a positive change in someone."

2021

Global Launch of National Mentoring Day

The global launch of National Mentoring Day takes place — it aims to support the United Nations SDGs to encourage all countries around the world to join in and celebrate mentors and mentoring initiatives making a difference on October 27.

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 can I get involved?

To get more involved with National Mentoring Day and for a free marketing pack as well as social media graphics, you can visit their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages.

How to Observe National Mentoring Day

Send a thank you note
If a name comes to mind when you 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. You can find free 'Thank Your Mentor' cards on National Mentoring Day's website.
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.
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.

5 Amazing Facts About Mentoring

Mentoring means business
70% of mentored small businesses only survive for five years or more.
Major value
97% of mentees say mentors are valuable.
Effective mentoring creates effective results
67% of businesses see an increase in productivity thanks to mentoring.
More businesses could use a little help from friends
Only 25% of small- and medium-sized businesses currently make use of business mentors.
The student becomes the teacher
89% of mentees themselves become mentors to someone else and contribute significantly to a culture of learning.

Why National Mentoring Day is Important

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.
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.
It 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.