Commit and Conquer
Mentors and mentorships are never a “one size fits all” situation. Speaking collaboratively with someone once a month for a year can seem daunting at first. What if it’s not a good fit? What if they don’t understand what I am going through? Taking the chance led Chrystal Lewis, US Navy Military Spouse, to land her dream job and create an amazing relationship with someone who had been in a similar place.
Leslie Coffey, Vice President of Military Engagement at American Corporate Partners, knew firsthand the feeling of beginning a new mentorship. Before volunteering as an ACP Mentor, she went through a mentorship as a Military Spouse Protégé herself. When discussing why she came back to the program as a Mentor, she noted,
My Mentor gave me something I hadn’t fully given myself: permission to put my professional goals front and center.
The experience was transformative, and I wanted nothing more than the opportunity to pay it forward.
Paying it forward is exactly what Coffey did. When thinking about the mentorship, Lewis added, “Because of her guidance, I found the confidence to make a successful career transition and landed what I can honestly say is my dream job.” Working with someone who understood what she was going through helped make the relationship feel easy. Discovering the similarities in their background was one of her favorite moments: “We were both from the Midwest, military spouses, and even attended the same college. That immediate connection made it effortless to open up to her.”
Not only was the mentorship rewarding for Lewis, Coffey added,
Watching someone grow, regain belief in themselves, and realize their potential is incredibly powerful
Seeing that growth serves as a reminder of how impactful mentorship can be for both the Protégé and the Mentor.
For someone contemplating if a mentorship is worth it, Coffey imparted, “Don’t self-select out. You have more skills than you realize, and far more value to offer than you give yourself credit for.” Lewis added to her sentiment, “Make the leap and just do it. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.”
While their formal mentorship has concluded, Lewis and Coffey continue to stay in touch, and their appreciation for one another remains constant. To her fellow Military Spouses and the rest of the military community, Lewis emphasized, “One of the biggest takeaways from my experience is that you are not alone. Whether you’re a Veteran or Military Spouse, there are so many others navigating the same challenges, uncertainties, and life transitions. Having a Mentor who has been through similar experiences can make all the difference.”
Ready to work with someone who can help you navigate your chapter and help you recognize your strengths? Join ACP’s thriving community of 43,000+ Veteran and Military Spouse Alumni and apply for your free year- long one-on-one mentorship today.
