CODE 220 was an intense but rewarding class that required a significant amount of reading and research. Each week, we delved into various research materials, ranging from academic articles to case studies, which were crucial for understanding different mentoring approaches and theories. These readings weren’t limited to our specific mentoring project; we also explored the research ideas of other groups in our cohort, we were also given the opprotunity to present our research in poster form. This exposure allowed us to grasp a wide range of mentoring methodologies and strategies, broadening our perspective and understanding of effective mentorship.
The research we conducted throughout the semester played a vital role in preparing us for our mentoring responsibilities in the spring. By studying different theories and practices, we could critically analyze our mentoring ideas and those of our peers, leading to deeper insights and more refined approaches. This thorough groundwork was invaluable when we started mentoring at the Boys and Girls Club. We entered the spring semester equipped with the knowledge and strategies necessary to address the unique challenges that arose, confident in our ability to adapt and succeed. Although the fine details were still in the works we had the background to begin exploring how we wanted to mentor using the research and the paper we wrote as a collective to move foward.