How can you find mentors and sponsors to advance your Fintech career?

First of all a person needs to assess his current situation and where he want to reach. Then he needs to make the stakeholders analysis how , what and from whom he can take the benefits and what he can benefit to chosen set of people. Devise and follow a strategic roadmap to reach, impress, communicate and establish harmonic relationships (RICH).

Mentors and Sponsor are key factors in your growth, either personally or professionally. Let me share an example, Manish is very talented and he did extraordinary things in high school, after school he opted for graduation in data science, which was challenging and he ended up leaving the course in the middle. While he was in college, a professor asked him his passion and listen him carefully. And guided him to be Marketer instead of analytical career. And later Manish was successful in the marketing domain with the help of one of his seniors Rahul who invested capital in business. The professor he met was a "mentor", the person who helped him in setting up business can be called a "sponsor".

Here are some ways mentors can offer guidance in a fintech: 1.An expert opinion on essential processes like compliance and regulatory processes, operational efficiencies, and more. 2.Guidance on best practices for user experience. 3. Bring value-add through their network.

Whether you want into fintech or any other field, here's how mentors and sponsors can be your career catalysts: Seek Wisdom: Find mentors who've traversed your desired path. Learn from their successes and stumbles. Boost Visibility: Connect with sponsors who have the clout to advocate for your ascent in the industry. Engage Actively: Regularly update both on your progress. Their insights can refine your trajectory. Show Gratitude: Always express appreciation. Their time and endorsement are gifts to your growth. Pay it Forward: Share learned lessons with others. Becoming a mentor or sponsor yourself completes the cycle.

Here’s how I identify Mentors and Sponsors. Places: - Workplace - Networking events, - Conferences - Fintech workshops, education programs etc. How to identify a right mentor/sponsor? Start by identifying where do you wan to see yourself a decade down the line. Secondly, identify a few key folks at the aforementioned event/conference etc who are roughly at the juncture where you see yourself in the future. Once key folks are identified, reach out to them at the event and express interest in being mentored by them. Make sure to clearly put across your “USP” as an individual Provide them with context of your journey, what drives you and what you aspire to be and clearly communicate what you will expect from them as a mentor.

Unearth mentors and sponsors by first mapping your fintech dreams to the expertise you need. Then dive into the networking deep end – think fintech forums, innovation hubs, and LinkedIn think tanks. Offer value first, show your potential, and the law of attraction will bring the guides and boosters to your career's storyline.

as mentioned, You need to devise RICH strategies. RICH means Reach, Impress, Communicate and establish harmonic relationships. Before communicating you need to make stakeholder analysis and try to establish bidirectional give and take relationships. Some of the things which you can give are 1. Linkedin recommendations 2. Praising on social media 3. Helping in research studies etc

To advance your FinTech career, actively network at industry events and through professional platforms like LinkedIn. Utilize your company's mentorship programs if available. Engage in online FinTech forums and discussions to attract mentors. Leverage academic connections and join professional organizations for access to mentorship opportunities. Directly reach out to professionals you admire with a clear message about your goals. Participate in community events like hackathons to meet industry peers. Build a strong personal brand to appeal to potential mentors and sponsors. Remember, mentorship is reciprocal; think about what you can offer in return. Regularly follow up and nurture these relationships for long-term benefits.