You're looking to make a career change. How can you find the right mentor in your new field?

1 Identify your needs

Before you start looking for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve in your new field, and what kind of help you need. Do you want to learn specific skills, such as coding, design, or marketing? Do you want to understand the industry trends, best practices, and opportunities? Do you want to expand your network, find potential partners, or access resources? Do you want to develop your leadership, communication, or negotiation skills? Write down your objectives and priorities, and use them as a guide to narrow down your search.

2 Research potential mentors

Once you have defined your needs, you can start researching potential mentors in your new field. You can use various sources, such as online platforms, social media, blogs, podcasts, books, or events, to find people who have the expertise, experience, and reputation that match your interests. You can also ask for referrals from your existing contacts, such as colleagues, friends, or alumni. Look for mentors who have a track record of success, a willingness to share their insights, and a compatible personality and style.

3 Reach out and build rapport

After you have identified a few potential mentors, you need to reach out to them and build rapport. You can send them a polite and personalized email, explaining who you are, what you are looking for, and why you are interested in learning from them. You can also mention something that you admire or appreciate about their work, or something that you have in common. Avoid asking for a formal mentorship right away, as this may seem too demanding or presumptuous. Instead, ask for a short meeting, a phone call, or a coffee chat, where you can introduce yourself, ask some relevant questions, and show your enthusiasm and curiosity.

4 Establish expectations and goals

If you have a positive initial interaction with a potential mentor, you can follow up with them and express your gratitude and interest. You can also ask them if they would be willing to continue the conversation and explore a possible mentorship. If they agree, you need to establish some expectations and goals for the relationship. You can discuss how often you will communicate, what format you will use, what topics you will cover, what feedback you will give and receive, and what outcomes you will measure. You should also respect your mentor's time and boundaries, and be flexible and adaptable to their availability and preferences.

5 Learn and apply

The last step is to learn and apply what your mentor teaches you. You should prepare for each session with your mentor, by doing some research, setting some agenda, and preparing some questions. You should also listen actively, take notes, and ask for clarification when needed. You should also apply what you learn to your own projects, challenges, and goals, and share your progress and results with your mentor. You should also seek feedback from your mentor, and use it to improve your performance and skills. Finally, you should show appreciation and gratitude to your mentor, and acknowledge their contribution to your success.

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?