Seeking a Mentor for Life, Career, and Academics
There’s this African saying that “what an elder sees sitting down, a child will have to climb the type of a palm tree to see”. In essence, this means that someone with more experience will in most cases have more insights into life situations than a fresher.
Having an experienced hand to guide you on the journey of life can prove invaluable in navigating the unknown waters it often brings. It’s better to learn from the insights and experiences of others than from one’s own experiences.
In this article, we will delve into the art of finding a mentor, who can not only steer you through the tumultuous currents of life but also aid in shaping your career trajectory. Whether you’re exploring how to find a mentor online or seeking how to find a mentor from your current network, this article has got you covered.
Who is a mentor?
The Cambridge Online Dictionary defines a mentor as “a person who gives a younger or less experienced person help and advice over a period of time, especially at work or school”. This can be an older colleague from school or work who has been on the same journey some years before you started.
Benefits of Having a Mentor
There are many benefits to having a mentor which includes;
- Accelerated learning and skill development
Having a mentor you can share your learning progress with can dramatically accelerate your learning. Imagine learning a new skill like computer programming, you have been to some boot camps and classes; a few sessions with your mentor can expose some gaps in your learning which you can correct.
- Guidance for making informed decisions
You can arrive at a crossroads in your career where a mentor can provide invaluable advice on how to navigate. Your mentor can share their mistakes and successes which you can learn from. Learning from the experiences of others often saves time and pain. This can also save you some money as a mentor in your professional field can tell you what are the right courses to take in your field to grow faster.
- Building valuable connections and networks
For career mentors who have gone way ahead, this may come with the added incentive of a broader network of professionals that you have access to.
A few introductions may just be what you need to take your career or life to the next level of greatness.
Types of Mentors
- Professional mentors:
Professional mentors are those who mentor in issues concerning your career path. It’s more helpful to identify those in your chosen career not in a totally different field with zero similarity with your field. This can also be in the field of business
- Academic mentors
Academic mentors are great for educational guidance. I always ask young students to have academic mentors when they first get into college or just when they are about to finish high school. An academic mentor will give you proper guidance on how to make the best of your time in school and leave with the best results.
- Personal development mentors
Personal development mentors are more focused on personal skills. This may in a preferred sport or musical instrument.
- Life mentors
A life mentor comprises other types of mentors including key life decisions such as marriage, relationships, business, etc.
How to find and approach potential mentors
Use your existing network
Tap into connections within your circle such as colleagues, teachers, friends, and family. Seek recommendations from them.
Check out online Platforms and Communities
Explore mentorship opportunities on social media such as X and LinkedIn. You can also join mentorship-focused forums and online groups on platforms like Reddit and Facebook.
Reach Out Effectively
Messaging a potential mentor out of the blue can easily go wrong. So, you have to plan properly how best to establish first contact. It may also be helpful to ask a mutual friend to do the first introductions.
Whether in-person or via email, your introduction has to be compelling and you have to also express genuine interest and respect for their expertise.
It’s also important that you are courteous and at least have a proposal on the structure of the mentorship. In summary, be nice and do your homework before coming.
How to nurture the mentor-mentee relationship
It’s one thing to start a mentor relationship and another thing to nurture it. Here are some tips to help you nurture your mentor relationships.
Set Clear Expectations
Define goals and expectations clearly from the onset to help guide both parties. This can also let you both know when the goals have been achieved and the relationship goes into a less active stage.
Establish communication frequency and preferred channels
Value the time of your mentor by having preferred channels and modes of communication. It’s definitely wrong to send them a WhatsApp message by 10 pm asking a series of questions. You can schedule a physical meeting once a quarter or when important events are about to come up.
Be respectful in your messaging over social/chat platforms.
Actively Seek Guidance
Always ask thoughtful questions to gain insights. Think your questions through so show that you have done some personal research before coming. Seek advice on challenges you may face highligthing actions you had taken.
Implement Feedback
Be receptive to constructive criticism and apply your mentors suggestions as appropriate. Also povide feedback on actions taken.
Expressing Gratitude
Show appreciation by acknowledging the impact of mentorship and sharing success stories attributed to it. You may also consider getting a gift or sending thoughtful messages to say thank you.
Conclusion
Having a mentor can be instrumental to success in life, career and school. You can get a mentor online or in person through different avenues such as online platforms or your physical network.
Before getting a mentor, you need to evaluate yourself to know what mentor will best fit your goals.
Always be courteous and respectful to mentors and remember to express gratitude by sharing your successes. Do you have a mentor, what tips can you share about your relationship with your mentor?