Ask a Summer Search student or mentor what mentoring means to them, and you’ll hear many similar answers. It’s having someone in your corner. It’s being challenged, listened to, encouraged, and reminded of what you’re capable of.  

As we welcome a new class of students this fall, we asked returning students and their mentors across the Summer Search network to complete the sentence: “Mentoring to me is…” Their answers offer a window into the relationships that make Summer Search successful.

For Boston student Nisrine, mentoring means learning from other people’s experiences: 

“Mentoring to me is seeking guidance from people who have been in my shoes, or even from those who have walked a completely different path. It’s learning from their experiences, being open to perspectives outside of my own, and having someone who can help me see possibilities I may not have seen for myself.” 

Her mentor, Lariona Jacobs, sees that learning as a two-way street:  

“Mentoring to me is selflessness, care, reciprocal learning, and nurturing growth. I learn from my mentees as much as they learn from me. As they navigate different phases of life, I strive to be an extension of their village—someone who pours into them, holds them accountable, and reminds them of the power of their voice.” 

 

Mentee Nisrine and Mentor Lariona

 

That sense of mutual growth came up again and again, as did the importance of consistency. Boston student Sabrina and mentor Michel-Lé Miranda described mentoring as “meeting someone where they’re at and supporting them on the journey they take through life while showing up and being consistent.”

They added: “Mentoring is built on support, trust, and continuing to show up through the easy moments, the hard ones, and everything in between. Sometimes, just having someone in your corner can make all the difference.”

 

 

In Philadelphia, high school junior Shardi describes mentoring as building a relationship with someone you know you can turn to:

“Mentoring to me is building a connection with someone and letting them be there for you. You are able to bond over things you have in common and goals to focus on. And you are able to confide in each other.”

Her mentor, Muffy Castellano, emphasizes what it takes to build that kind of trust over time.

“Mentoring to me is being there when you say you will be. It’s showing up consistently and proving, through your actions, that you can be a trusted adult in a young person’s life: someone who genuinely wants to see them grow, challenge their doubts, and celebrate their wins.”

 

 

 

Showing up can mean cheering a student on at a school event, or encouraging them to apply for an opportunity. Sometimes it means having a tough conversation or continuing to reach out when someone pulls away. As Muffy says, mentoring is about “consistency, building trust, encouragement, and connection.”

Former New York City mentor Destynee Oakley and her mentee, Mikel, defined mentoring together: “Mentoring is a safe and open space where you can confide in someone.”

 

 

  

For Seattle junior Ani, a mentor is both a guide and a trusted friend: “Having someone along your side helping you navigate the world and give you advice on any problems you may be having.” Ani also points to the value of having an adult who can offer connections and knowledge that teenagers may not yet have.

Seattle junior Nahum describes mentoring as “a breath of fresh air” – a place to talk without feeling judged and to know there is someone there for you. For Seattle junior Maria, that support is also about helping students discover what they’re capable of:

“Mentoring to me means having someone who supports you and believes in you. It’s somebody who helps you learn from your experiences and step outside of your comfort zone to become more confident in who you are and what you’re capable of. It isn’t someone who tells you who to become, but someone who helps you discover it for yourself.”

And students are clear that mentoring isn’t one-sided. Seattle junior Hewan describes it as a genuine exchange:

“Mentoring is a two-way relationship that shapes both the mentor and mentees’ mindsets to understand each other, life, and grow from new experiences while creating a safe space.”

Seattle junior Leo agrees, describing a mentor as a mix of “a friend, guide, and teacher” who provides both positive and constructive feedback—and is open to receiving the same from their mentee. For Seattle junior Mayrin, that relationship has become something she genuinely looks forward to:

“Mentoring to me is an opportunity to get guidance on various different factors, whether it’s related to school or something in my personal life. Mentoring to me is also something I look forward to. I don’t do it because I feel like I have to, but rather because I want to!”

Seattle mentors see that same combination of guidance, connection, and growth. Mentor Joe describes his role as “a resource, a guide, a sounding board, a cheerleader, an excavator, a dot-connector, a question asker, a planner, and a confidant.” Ultimately, he says, mentoring means helping each young person recognize and cultivate their unique talents as they pursue their own vision of success. Mentor Trisha puts it this way:

“Mentoring to me is about meeting people where they are, creating a safe space by listening without judgement, and working together to get them one step closer to the life they want to build. I also like to remind others to celebrate the wins in between the big ones!”

And those relationships continue to evolve as young people take on new experiences and new chapters of their lives.

In the Bay Area, mentor August and mentee Katie have used their mentoring relationship as an opportunity to reflect on Katie’s transition to college on the East Coast, as she experiences  new friendships, academic challenges, successes, and personal growth. For August, it has been an honor to listen as Katie shares how she is navigating a new environment and making her way through experiences that are helping shape who she is becoming.

 

 

That’s what mentoring at Summer Search can look like: meeting a young person where they are, showing up consistently, and creating space for reflection, challenge, celebration, and growth. Learn more about mentoring at Summer Search.