Find a Mentor

https://www.insidehighered.com/

Now is the time to find a mentor. Mentors are helpful regardless of what stage of life you're in. Whether you’re still in college, a recent graduate or several years into your career, there are always others whom you can learn from to help you reach your short-term and long-term goals.

"A great mentor is someone whose qualities make up a much better version of who you envision yourself to become," Demetri Argyropoulos, CEO of Avant Global shares with the Business News Daily. "On the other hand, some great mentors may help you to learn who not to be like – for example, a very successful businessman who is struggling in his personal life. Great mentors have a complementary skill set and bring different qualities to the table. Different perspectives are valuable in the mentor-mentee relationship."

How do I find a mentor?

Create a list of potential mentors. These are professionals you aspire to be and whom you respect at a personal and professional level. Be sure to look in your own professional circle first for people like former employers, professors, co-workers etc. Remember to look for someone who has similar strengths and skills as you and has a career you want to emulate.

Doug White, editor of career and management insights website, TCG Blog recommends looking for mentors who are “authentic, empathetic, creative and honest." It is important to find someone who will care and be fully invested in your professional growth.

How do I build a relationship with a mentor?

Don’t ask the person to be your mentor right away. The first initial meeting should be informal like getting coffee. Approach a potential mentor similar to approaching a new friendship, keeping in mind the relationship will develop over time.

During your first meeting, ask questions to assess whether they are a good fit for you. After your first meeting ask yourself the following:

• Do you want to spend more time with them?
• Are you able to learn from them?
• Did you leave the meeting feeling better about yourself?
• Are there similarities between both of you?
• Were they able to encourage you or did they just tell you what to do?
• Did they ask you questions to get to know you and direct your thoughts?

If so, follow-up and plan to set up a second meeting. Don’t forget to send them a thank you card or an email expressing how impactful the meeting was for you.

As you continue to meet, classify your relationship. Is it formal because you decided to make the direct "ask" to have them be your mentor? Is it informal because it was never stated, yet you continue to meet? Find out how much time they are willing to invest in the relationship to help you establish a consistent meeting schedule.

Be Proactive.

Don’t check out when you feel challenged during the relationship. Your mentor will get to the point where they are comfortable enough to call you out, which is crucial for your growth. Continue to drive the relationship. Don’t wait for the mentor to initiate conversation all the time. Ask questions and seek feedback. Make sure you fully committed to the process, because it will not work if you are not putting in the time and effort.