Psychology major Janiah Fields joined the EDGE Experience in 2021, her first year at McDaniel. Now a junior, she has mentored fellow EDGE students, gained leadership experience, and found confidence in her career path.
Looking back, what was the best part of joining the EDGE Experience in your first year of college? What made you want to join?
The best part of joining EDGE was the access I had to resources, whether it was students, offices, or literal school supplies. I knew that I could ask EDGE questions and they would do their best to get me the answers I needed. Initially, I didn’t really know anything about EDGE. I started at McDaniel during the pandemic and didn’t get to do a lot of things that we do now, but the former director sent out an email saying that the program was for Baltimore City Public School students, and I thought it would be a good idea to find a community that could support me as someone who was just starting college.
How has EDGE made a difference in your college career?
Being in EDGE has put my name in high places. People ask me to participate in really great opportunities to connect with the larger McDaniel community such as panels, dinners, and mixers. This is important for me as I consider myself a community advocate. If I can get into those spaces, I can raise questions and concerns to those in higher positions and advocate for myself and students that may not feel comfortable doing so.
Why did you become an EDGE mentor?
I’m a Psychology major and a mental health advocate, so giving back and really hearing people are a big part of my philosophy as a human being, but also as someone who wants to pursue a career in the mental health field. Additionally, I want my mentees to understand that my experience as a student coming from Baltimore City Public Schools has shown me that we are just as capable of going to college and thriving as everyone else. I’m here to be whatever first-year students need me to be, a tour guide, an advocate, or just someone to talk to. I know that even though I’m a student and close to a lot of them in age, I do have an impact. I try to do whatever I can, not only to ensure that their first year is successful, but so that they continue this journey at McDaniel College.
What does being a mentor mean to you?
Being a mentor to me means lending a helping hand. When I think of myself as a mentor, I don’t think of myself ranking above anyone. We are one and the same; I’ve been in many of these students’ shoes. College is hard, you shouldn’t have to do it alone. In my time as a mentor, I’ve learned just as much as the first-year students. They teach me so much. It is a mutual interaction where we both gain so much from each other.
How do you support first-year students?
I typically support them by having very low-stakes meetings; we can meet up wherever they want (I’ve even had a meeting walking around campus). During these meetings we have intentional conversations about school, goals, personal life, whatever my mentees feel comfortable sharing with me. Ideally this happens twice a month. My mentees have my number so if they are unable to meet, we talk via text, Zoom, etc. If they need me, they know they can reach out.
What’s one thing new college students should know before starting their first year?
When coming to college, it’s important to know that there will be obstacles. It may be a class, or social life, or just homesickness, but don’t let any of it deceive you. You can do it! Once you start believing that, nothing can stop you.
