What do you do if you're an early-career manufacturing engineer seeking mentorship?

1 Identify your goals

Before you seek a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn and achieve from the relationship. Think about your short-term and long-term career objectives, your strengths and weaknesses, your interests and passions, and your expectations and preferences. Write down your goals and prioritize them according to their importance and urgency. This will help you narrow down your search and communicate your needs to potential mentors.

3 Reach out and connect

Once you have identified some potential mentors, you need to reach out and connect with them in a respectful and professional manner. You can send them an email, a message, or a connection request, introducing yourself, explaining your interest, and requesting a meeting. You should be concise, polite, and specific about your goals and expectations. You should also express your appreciation and enthusiasm for their work and expertise. You should avoid being too demanding, presumptuous, or vague about what you want from them.

4 Build a relationship

If a potential mentor agrees to meet with you, you should prepare for the meeting by doing some research on their background, achievements, and projects. You should also prepare some questions, topics, or scenarios that you want to discuss with them. You should be punctual, attentive, and engaged during the meeting, and show your curiosity, openness, and willingness to learn. You should also ask for feedback, advice, or recommendations on how to improve your skills or performance. You should follow up with a thank-you note and keep in touch with them regularly.

6 Evaluate and adjust

Mentorship is a dynamic and evolving relationship that needs constant evaluation and adjustment. You should regularly review your goals, progress, and satisfaction with your mentor, and provide feedback, recognition, and gratitude to them. You should also be open to new challenges, opportunities, and learning styles that your mentor may suggest or offer to you. You should also be flexible and adaptable to changes in your mentor's situation, availability, or expectations. You should also be ready to end or transition the relationship when it is no longer beneficial or relevant to you or your mentor.

7 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?