Team Andersen receives advice about life through speed mentorship

by Airman 1st Class Emily A. Bradley
36th Wing Public Affairs

4/1/2014 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam  -- Dozens of Team Andersen Airmen gathered and met with military and civilian subject matter experts and leaders for a speed mentoring event here March 20.

Based on the concept of speed dating, speed mentoring provided Airmen an opportunity to pursue a mentor relationship with individuals they would not likely have met otherwise.

The mentors included a University of Guam professor, senior enlisted and officers from Andersen and Naval Base Guam. Each mentoring session occurred in a shortened timeframe, about five minutes, to allow for attendees to meet with every mentor.

"The great thing about this event is that it is not all about the military; it's also a place for men and women to voice their personal concerns," said Tech. Sgt. Segonia Cameron, 36th Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of fitness. "These people are able to pass along invaluable information about life and its hardships, and that has been a wonderful learning experience."

Each five-minute mentorship session allowed participants to hear the mentor's experiences, which were based on their years of accomplishments and lessons learned, Cameron said.

"We have to encourage people to get a head start at a younger age," said Dr. Mary Katherine Fegurgur, University of Guam professor. "I chose to be a mentor and participate because of my strong ties to the military and I wanted to share my own experiences with these amazing men and women."

The purpose of the event was to build a foundation for future mentors who, when called upon, could rise to the occasion with advice, Cameron said.

"I have always been an advocate for events like this," said Maj. Rosalind Ross-Perry, 36th Medical Operations Squadron Environmental Health Flight commander. "I have had mentors all my life who gave excellent advice and helped me get where I am today, and all they asked of me was to pay it forward."