What does a mentor do?
Mentors are individuals who are usually experienced or considered experts in their field. They provide guidance and inspiration to the people they mentor, often called mentees. Mentors give advice whenever their mentees need them, usually on topics related to their career or studies. They may help their mentees with career concerns by helping them map out a career plan, coaching them to prepare them for interviews, and providing insights on the industry or field they are in. Mentors also help train their mentees in their jobs by providing feedback and guiding them so that they may improve.
Mentor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real mentor resumes:
- Ensure community youth receive timely access to CBHI services by managing waitlist per MCE requirements.
- Provide academic support services for elementary students requesting assistance in math
- Help develop IEP goals and objectives.
- Assist new students with Javascript concepts and frameworks.
- Tutor student athletes in economics courses of various levels.
- Calculate GPA's to help students matriculate in program curriculum.
- Participate in detail training sessions on NCAA policies and practices.
- Adhere to policies and administrative guidelines for developing IEP's.
- Maintain proper training to a mentor (CPR and self defense).
- Tutor and motivate students to continue with undergraduate education and maintain a good GPA.
- Tutor fellow students in organic chemistry to promote better understanding of the course work.
- Hold supplemental study groups for students who wish to further understand topics in chemistry.
- Create and implement an individualize action plan (IAP) for life skills development.
- Meet with supervisor weekly regarding the work that has been done between TM and client.
- Identify students who are at-risk, ESL, migrant, or are in federal poverty status.
Mentor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Mentors are proficient in Role Model, Mathematics, and Mental Health. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Listening skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Mentors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Role Model, 11%
Formed positive role model relationships with youths/teens to help them find a more positive lifestyle/behavior academically and personally.
- Mathematics, 9%
Tutored students at an alternative high school in economics, mathematics, and GED preparation by providing one-on-one instruction and mentoring
- Mental Health, 8%
Ensured youth received additional support by participating in group and individual therapy sessions with licensed mental health professionals and family members.
- CPR, 7%
Obtained CPR certification & Early education certification
- Developmental Disabilities, 6%
Identified and developed community resources that support the health maintenance and increased community inclusion for 107 clients with developmental disabilities.
- Community Resources, 6%
Observed family interaction, presented alternatives to healthy communication, supported/encouraged family strengths and the use of natural and community resources.
Common skills that a mentor uses to do their job include "role model," "mathematics," and "mental health." You can find details on the most important mentor responsibilities below.
Compassion. For certain mentor responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "compassion." The day-to-day duties of a mentor rely on this skill, as "social and human service assistants often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what mentors do: "serve as a positive role model exhibiting behaviors like integrity, compassion, open-mindedness and a strong work ethic. "
Interpersonal skills. A commonly-found skill in mentor job descriptions, "interpersonal skills" is essential to what mentors do. Mentor responsibilities rely on this skill because "social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues." You can also see how mentor duties rely on interpersonal skills in this resume example: "facilitate recreational, social and academic support to youth at brook hill elementary school while encouraging leadership and interpersonal skills. "
The three companies that hire the most mentors are:
- Americorps27 mentors jobs
- PSEA10 mentors jobs
- Lad Lake9 mentors jobs
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Compare different mentors
Mentor vs. Educational aid
An educational aide is needed to thoroughly manage and assess children's development and learning. They help teachers monitor students' development and class standing. They provide hands-on tutoring to children in need of additional study courses. They also help teachers develop lesson plans, assist with distributing handouts, and collect homework. They can act as teachers when the lead teacher is absent. To make learning lively, they help in room beautification and cleanliness.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between mentors and educational aid. For instance, mentor responsibilities require skills such as "role model," "mental health," "developmental disabilities," and "community resources." Whereas a educational aid is skilled in "behavior management," "instructional materials," "physical education," and "child guidance." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Educational aids earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $28,994. On the other hand, mentors are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $34,792.educational aids tend to reach similar levels of education than mentors. In fact, educational aids are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Mentor vs. Building substitute teacher
Substitute teachers are responsible for filling in the role of regular teachers who will not be able to come to school. They may be engaged short-term or long-term, depending on the need. Substitute teachers should have a deep understanding of the topics that are related to the subject matter and are appropriate to the learning level of the student. They should be able to advance the lessons while the regular teacher is unavailable. At times, they are required to create their own lesson plans. Substitute teachers should have the skills of regular teachers. They should also be flexible and adaptable.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, mentor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "role model," "mental health," "cpr," and "developmental disabilities." Meanwhile, a building substitute teacher has duties that require skills in areas such as "classroom management," "classroom environment," "k-8," and "k-12." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Building substitute teachers may earn a lower salary than mentors, but building substitute teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $29,753. On the other hand, mentors receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $34,792.In general, building substitute teachers achieve higher levels of education than mentors. They're 13.0% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mentor vs. Substitute teacher
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from mentor resumes include skills like "role model," "mental health," "cpr," and "developmental disabilities," whereas a substitute teacher is more likely to list skills in "kids," "math," "help support," and "language arts. "
Substitute teachers earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $32,682. Mentors earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $34,792.substitute teachers typically earn similar educational levels compared to mentors. Specifically, they're 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mentor vs. Certified substitute teacher
Types of mentor
Updated January 8, 2025
