You Don’t Need to Go It Alone:
Why Mentorship Matters in Accreditation
When we think back to our younger years, we often remember the people who helped shape us—teachers, coaches, counselors, conductors, directors. These were the individuals who gave us direction at just the right moment.
So why, now that we're professionals, do we expect ourselves to figure everything out on our own?
The truth is, we could all use more guidance. And in the world of accreditation, having the right kind of support can be the difference between feeling overwhelmed and moving forward with confidence.
We often imagine a mentor as someone older and more experienced, guiding us through major life or career decisions. But that’s a limited view. In reality:
A mentor is anyone who can help you grow.
They don’t have to be older, in your agency, or in your field.
They don’t even have to know they’re mentoring you.
Mentorship can come from a variety of sources—peers, regional colleagues, digital communities, or people whose work you follow from afar. It doesn’t have to be formal or long-term. Sometimes, one good conversation is all it takes to shift your direction.
If you’ve been to an assessor or accreditation manager training, you know this truth: the learning doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom.
Once you’re back at your agency, questions come up. You face policy writing, on-site prep, time-sensitive standards, and file-building challenges—each with different demands.
You may find:
One person helps with policy language
Another shows you how to manage digital files
Yet another helps you track your time-sensitive tasks
That’s mentorship in action. And it works best when you embrace the idea that different people can guide different parts of your journey.
Some of the most impactful guidance can come from people you’ve never even met. These “distant mentors” include:
Conference speakers whose stories stay with you
Accreditation leaders you follow on social media
Podcasts that offer strategies and encouragement
Authors, trainers, or local experts who model best practices
You don’t need to meet someone face-to-face to learn from them. What matters is that you stay open to receiving insight—and take the time to observe and apply it.
Ask yourself:
Who do I consider a mentor right now?
Where in my accreditation work could I use more support?
Who might be able to help me—even just a little?
Whether it’s someone close by or someone you admire from a distance, mentorship is about growth. And more guidance means more growth.
You’re not meant to navigate accreditation alone. There are people out there who have been where you are—and are ready to help. All you have to do is reach out.
Who do you know that could benefit from these accreditation-friendly tips and resources? Consider sharing this link with a colleague so they can sign up:https://www.accreditationacademy.net/signup
Areaka P. Jewell
Accreditation Academy
areaka@accreditationacademy.net
(305) 360-1075