Mentorship can be the change you need to get your career moving. Being a mentor or mentee is a great way to learn fast and on the job. Mentorships can take many forms, from an occasional coffee meetup to a complete training regime. How much investment you make is up to you and the other party.
Having a mentor is key to your professional and personal growth. A mentor can provide valuable insight and advice, introduce you to new opportunities, serve as your advocate, and challenge you to reach your fullest potential. Find out why everyone needs a mentor, and how to find the right one for you.
A good mentor will help you understand your goals and ambitions. They can provide an impartial perspective, ask questions that help you explore your motivations and values, and encourage you to identify the right steps to reach your desired outcome. They can also provide invaluable advice when faced with tough decisions, helping you make the most of opportunities presented to you.
Having a mentor offers the opportunity to learn from their years of experience and life lessons. Mentors have often faced many of the same situations that you may confront in your life, giving them unique insight into the potential outcomes or solutions. This added perspective can be invaluable in helping you weigh decisions and understand different perspectives on a situation. Moreover, they can share best practices while also offering advice and support when it’s most needed.
Having a mentor can be especially beneficial when you encounter difficult situations or are unsure of how to handle a situation. Mentors provide guidance and advice that can help you navigate complex dilemmas. Discussing your problem with a knowledgeable person provides insight into solutions you hadn’t considered and help you build confidence in your decision-making abilities.
Additionally, mentors often have valuable insights into different aspects of a job or area of work that may not be covered in your formal education or training. This could include building relationships in an industry, entrepreneurship, creativity and even getting ahead in a corporate setting.
One of the most powerful benefits of having a mentor is access to their networks and connections. Mentors are often well-connected, which can include people they know in different industries or fields. They may have a wealth of contacts that could prove beneficial. It’s also possible to meet new mentors with more specialized skill sets through your existing mentor’s contacts, which can give you greater access to unique skills and experiences.
There are many ways to find a mentor, and it will depend mainly on your work circumstances. If you are working in a large organisation, seek out people working in roles that you aspire to be in. Ask them for some advice informally or organise a coffee catch-up. You will be surprised how receptive most people are. If they have the skills and knowledge you need, ask them if they can mentor you. If you are working in a small business or for yourself, you may need to look outside your work. Make a list of those in aspirational roles, with skills you would like to develop. If no one fits the bill, you may need to look at networking opportunities and become more proactive.
The beauty of the 21st century is the ability to connect with people across the globe. No matter if you work from home (or even in a different country), you can find your mentor by utilising online tools. LinkedIn is a common online platform for professionals to connect
The College for Adult Learning’s LinkedIn professional networking group can be a great place to meet fellow alumni, grow your connections and interact with like-minded individuals. You may also find a mentor in your industry that have had a similar learning experience as you at CAL.
Mentoring can take many different forms and can become as hands-on as you’d like. Sometimes the correct route isn’t immediately apparent. When this is the case, there are plenty of tools you can use to help:
A common misconception is that the benefits of mentoring are one-sided. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Being a mentor is the perfect way to cement your existing knowledge, build professional relationships, and develop leadership and management skills. Mentoring is hugely beneficial to both parties involved. If someone shows interest in your role, you can offer up your help while also further developing your communication and leadership skills.
Once your mentoring is underway, it is vital to make sure you are regularly reviewing your learning. If you feel as though your learning and development have stalled, talk with your mentor and come up with a new learning path that aligns more with your interests. If you need further guidance in your career and you still are unsure, make sure to utilise the CAL Career’s Hub to assist you in success post-study.
