What are common mistakes when seeking programming mentorship?

1 Not being clear about your goals

Before you approach a potential mentor, you should have a clear idea of what you want to learn, why you want to learn it, and how you plan to measure your progress. A mentor is not a teacher who will give you a curriculum and assignments. A mentor is a guide who will help you navigate your own learning journey. You need to be proactive, self-motivated, and specific about your goals. Otherwise, you might waste your mentor's time, lose their interest, or miss out on valuable opportunities.

2 Not respecting your mentor's time

A mentor is usually someone who has a lot of experience, knowledge, and responsibilities. They are not obligated to mentor you, and they are doing it out of generosity, passion, or curiosity. Therefore, you should respect their time and availability. Don't expect them to be available 24/7, answer every question immediately, or solve every problem for you. Don't bombard them with messages, calls, or emails. Don't cancel or reschedule meetings at the last minute. Don't take their feedback personally or argue with them. Be polite, grateful, and flexible. Show them that you value their time and input.

3 Not applying what you learn

A mentor can give you advice, tips, resources, and insights, but they can't do the work for you. You have to apply what you learn from them to your own projects, challenges, and goals. Otherwise, you are wasting your mentor's efforts and your own potential. Don't just listen to your mentor, but act on their suggestions. Don't just ask for solutions, but try to figure them out yourself. Don't just follow their instructions, but experiment with your own ideas. Show them that you are eager to learn, grow, and improve.

4 Not communicating effectively

Communication is key to any successful mentorship. You need to communicate clearly, regularly, and honestly with your mentor. You need to tell them what you are working on, what you are struggling with, what you are achieving, and what you need from them. You need to ask questions, seek feedback, and share your thoughts. You need to listen to their responses, acknowledge their input, and follow up on their recommendations. You need to use the appropriate channels, formats, and tools to communicate. For example, you might use email for updates, chat for quick questions, video calls for discussions, and GitHub for code reviews.

5 Not seeking diversity

While having a mentor can be very beneficial, it can also limit your perspective if you rely on only one source of guidance. Your mentor might have a specific style, preference, or bias that might not suit your needs, goals, or interests. Your mentor might not have all the answers, skills, or experiences that you are looking for. Your mentor might not be aware of the latest trends, technologies, or opportunities in your field. Therefore, you should seek diversity in your learning and networking. You should look for other mentors, peers, experts, or communities that can complement, challenge, or expand your mentor's views. You should expose yourself to different opinions, approaches, and resources that can enrich your programming journey.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?