The Best Part of Mentorship? Realizing You’re Learning Just as Much as You’re Giving

As I wrap up another year (5th?) as a CPHR Mentor, I am feeling incredibly grateful for the HR professionals this journey has brought into my life. Each year, I have had the privilege of connecting with emerging HR professionals who bring curiosity, courage, and a willingness to grow. Those relationships have been the highlight for me.

I have also stepped beyond the Mentor program to support and connect with HR professionals - those just starting out and those well into their careers. I do it because I was lucky enough to have a great mentor myself, and giving back feels right.

What continues to surprise me is how much I learn from them. Their questions challenge my understanding. Their perspectives broaden my own. Their drive reminds me why our profession matters. The impact is never one‑directional; it’s shared, and I carry their insights into my own work after our formal time together ends.

Being a mentor is a privilege that I do not take lightly. I show up because I believe in them, in their potential, and in the future they are building for our field. I have a lot to give, but they are the ones who make the experience worthwhile. They trust me with their goals, their uncertainties, and their growth. And, that trust is something I hold with deep respect.