Famous Mentors & Mentees
Are you familiar with these famous coaching relationships?
Famous Mentor & Mentee: The Father & Son of the Tech Sector
Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg have not only transformed the technology sector, but also have changed the way people around the world connect and socialize. Steve Jobs was the founder of Apple Inc., most famously known for its production of the iPhone. Apple Inc. is currently the world’s largest manufacturer based on revenue. Mark Zuckerberg is the founder of Facebook, the world’s leading social media and networking company with more than 2 billion users.
But did you know these two are also considered the father and son of the tech sector? Steve Jobs mentored Mark Zuckerberg for many years. Both shared a common background as young ambitious entrepreneurs. When Steve Jobs met Mark Zuckerberg he took him under his wing and shared his insights in working with disruptive technology. When Mark Zuckerberg struggled in the early days of Facebook deciding whether or not he should sell the company. Steve Jobs advised him to take a trip. This was intended to allow Mark to reconnect with the mission of the organization and figure out his vision for the company’s future. Ultimately Zuckerberg decided not to sell Facebook and went on to expand the company into the success it is today. Over time the two became friends and many call them the “father and son of modern technology”. Finding a good mentor is critical for success. When making those tough decisions early on, having someone to turn to for advice and guidance is key!
References
1.https://www.inc.com/ilan-mochari/visit-india-creativity.html
Famous Mentors & Mentees: Even the Sky is not a Limit- Dr. Arthur Walker & Sally Ride
In 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman to go to Space. Her mentor Dr. Arthur Walker was an Astrophysicist who became a leader in the use of thin films and x-rays to study the sun. Later in life he went onto become a professor at Stanford University where he was influential in making it the research university with the highest number of minority graduates in Physics.
Sally met Dr. Walker as a student completing her graduate studies at Stanford. He became a life-long mentor and supporter of her professional advancement. It was Dr. Walter who originally encouraged Sally to apply to be an Astronaut for NASA. She credits him for giving her the confidence to go after her goals. Sally’s historical achievement was made possible by having a mentor that believed in her. When searching for a mentor it is important to choose someone who believes in your ability to achieve anything and gives you the confidence to go after your dreams.
References
1. http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/physics/walker_arthurbc.html
2. https://chronicle.umbmentoring.org/top-25-mentoring-relationships-in-history/
Famous Mentor & Mentee: Inspirational Powerhouses
Oprah Winfrey is best known for her successful talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show. The daytime talk show was the highest-rated television program of its kind in history. She is also known for her far-reaching philanthropic work. Literary legend Maya Angelou wrote internationally acclaimed books, poems and plays, becoming the second poet in history to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration in 1993.
Both women had troubled childhoods and overcame great adversity before becoming successful. Their stories are inspirational as is their work, making both of these women and their legacies iconic. Despite being in different lines of work, Maya Angelou was Oprah’s mentor and close friend. Oprah credits Maya for guiding her through the most significant years of her life and teaching her the philosophy, “When you learn, teach. When you get, give”. Although her talk show has ended, Oprah’s media empire continues and she mentors many young girls around the world to get an education and dream big.
References
1. https://chronicle.umbmentoring.org/top-25-mentoring-relationships-in-history/
2. http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/oprah-winfrey-remembers-mentor-maya-angelou/story?id=23901061
Header Image Courtesy of: Pixabay
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Karla Feijoo is a Graduate of Leiden University. She is the Ye! Community Communications Intern.