How Do I Become a Learning Mentor?

To become a learning mentor, you will need experience working with whatever population you seek to teach, whether it is adults or children. Many learning mentors have a four year bachelor's degree, although some may have an associate's degree, usually in education. It is also important to have strong communication skills as well as the patience required to mentor struggling students if you want to successfully become a learning mentor.

Having a degree is key to being able to teach others. Candidates with a four year bachelor's degree oftentimes look more appealing to learning mentor recruiters than candidates with an associate's degree. A bachelor's degree program is usually more analytical and better suited to molding people into thinking critically and engaging students in an academic capacity. As someone who wants to become a learning mentor, you can major in anything you want, although you may want to major in education. An education major will give you the tools you need to effectively teach either one on one or in a classroom.

Not everyone can afford a four year bachelor's degree program, but you are not typically required to get a bachelor's degree for a learning mentor position. An associate's degree program may be a better option for you if you are looking to save money and time. There are many two year associate's programs in all types of education. Programs in your area should be researched to find the right fit for you.

Gaining classroom or tutoring experience is a major factor in becoming a learning mentor. As a mentor you will work closely with one student or a few students. It is important that you have the experience necessary to anticipate each student's academic needs. Practical experience will help you decide how best to approach the curriculum based on your students' learning preferences, aptitude, and willingness to gain knowledge. You can find temporary jobs or internships through your local newspaper, online blog, or your school's career services office.

Developing both patience and clear communication skills is also important. Teaching those who are not doing well in school can sometimes be a daunting task and may become tedious. Due to the fact that you are seeking to become a learning mentor, knowing how to convey complex subjects to your students is a skill you should work hard to cultivate. Being a learning mentor will also require a certain amount of empathy on your part so you can let the student know that you have taken the time to understand his or her struggles.