Once a Mentee, Now Helping to Lead the Change
Once a Menteeโฆ
I still remember what it felt like to be part of iMentor as a mentee when I was in high school. I answered some questionnaires and received notice a few weeks later that I’d been matched. For the first event, I sat next to my mentor, and wasnโt sure what to expect. I was excited, but mostly nervous, since meeting new people can be scary sometimes, especially as an introvert. Though, when I think back, these worries were from being unsure if someone Iโd just met could really understand me or what I wanted for my future. But what started as an awkward introduction turned to us competing with other pairs to build the highest marshmallow towers with the support of dried spaghetti, and most of all, to one of the most meaningful relationships of my life.
Mentorship is more than a program; itโs a movement. Itโs about creating cycles of support and empowerment that ripple outward.
Through my time as a mentee, I learned that mentorship isnโt just about giving advice or trying to meet deadlines โ itโs about building meaningful connections and being seen. My mentor continually encouraged me, asked thought-provoking questions, and helped me stay grounded.
Whether I was navigating college applications, managing imposter syndrome, or figuring out who I wanted to be, my mentor was there. My mentor was passionate about education, while I wanted to major in computer science โ which I found early on in college wasnโt my passion โ so I changed my major to psychology and data science. However, she still helped me find great programs, practice interview questions, improve my resume, asked me about my day, and I built confidence in conversational skills.
As a first-generation student, my family and friends’ knowledge of the college process was limited. However, my mentor was prepared to answer questions I had or help me figure out the answers, and reassured me of my goals.
That experience shaped me in ways I didnโt fully realize at the time. It taught me that change happens through relationships, and that the support of one person can make all the difference.
Now a Fellowโฆ
When I learned about the FAO Schwarz Fellowship, I remember an iMentor staff member told my class about this opportunity in my senior year of high school. I found the email, visited the website and excitedly saw iMentor as one of the hosts organizations. I had always admired iMentorโs mission to plant the importance of mentorship to students and prepare them for after they graduate. The idea of coming back to that same organization in a leadership role felt like a full-circle moment. In my application, I talked of my story, reflecting on how mentorship had shaped my values and commitment to service.ย
At the time I received my offer from iMentor, I was stressing about an exam, but once I saw the subject line of the email, โCongrats – youโve been selected as an iMentor’s FAO Schwarz Fellow!โ…I completely forgot about the exam. I was overwhelmed by a mix of gratitude and disbelief: the same organization that once supported me was now trusting me to help lead change for others.
Supporting Students as a Fellowโฆ
As an FAO Schwarz Fellow with iMentor, I support high school students as they navigate the same challenges I once faced. Whether itโs encouraging them to work on their goals, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and networking, or simply checking in on how theyโre doing. I remember a student asking me to read over their personal statement and share some advice; I gladly said yes, and their story was beautiful, highlighting what mattered most to themโthe value of family. Moments like this remind me that while I can see pieces of my younger self in some students, I also see their uniqueness.
I bring a unique perspective and understanding of what it feels like to be a mentee to my Fellowship, while also entering a leadership role and learning how to guide and empower others. Iโve had to check-in with myself and remember I was once a teen (like most of us!), thinking I knew it all, but quickly realizing that I needed support in planning my future pathway and building confidence in my decisions. So each time I share my story, it reminds me of the impact mentorship can have, not just on studentsโ academic journeys, but on their confidence and sense of purpose.
Looking Aheadโฆ
When I think about my journey โ from being a mentee to now serving students through iMentor โ Iโm reminded that mentorship is more than a program; itโs a movement. Itโs about creating cycles of support and empowerment that ripple outward.ย
Iโm grateful for my mentor, for the opportunities that shaped my path, and for the chance to give back through the FAO Schwarz Fellowship. My hope is that the students I work with will one day look back on their own journeys and see how far theyโve come โ maybe even stepping into roles like mine, or becoming a mentor themselves!ย
Deb Camacho
Deb (she/her) is the FAO Schwarz Fellow at iMentor in New York City.
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