I've Never Had a Mentor.

by Rakshitha Arni Ravishankar, Associate Multiplatform Editor

In the past few years, I’ve heard a lot about how important mentorship is to my career growth. Research shows that having a mentor increases your chances of promotion, especially if you’re a woman of color. It also increases your visibility by connecting you with people you otherwise wouldn’t have access to.

Though I understand the benefits mentorship brings, I’ve never had one. Ever. There are many reasons why: I’m an introvert with social anxiety and reaching out to (new) people has always been a struggle. Asking others for help feels icky to me. I worry that it will make my relationships seem transactional. I have a hard time being vulnerable about things that deeply matter to me, including my goals and ambitions. I don’t know where to start or what language to use to express my interest.

When I attempt to overcome these anxieties, I end up in a negative spiral: Do people think I lack ambition because I haven’t yet built this relationship? Would a senior employee really want to talk to me, let alone guide me? Is it too late to find a mentor now?

To bring myself some solace, I recently did some research around the different ways mentorship can look. It’s given me a little more perspective and hope for the future. Here’s what I learned:

• Mentors don’t have to feel completely out of reach. In fact, most mentors can be found in your existing networks. They could be a boss, a professor, a former colleague, or even a friend.
• The goal of mentorship is to look for people who are able to help you with something specific: learn a new skill, find a new job, or think more broadly about your career growth in a specific industry.
• Mentorships don’t have to benefit only the person being mentored. You can provide just as much value to your mentor by sharing your insights and views around a topic you both care about. In fact, building these “transformational mentorships” is key to long-term engagement.
• Finally, finding mentors has no timeline. We all require guidance and advice at every stage of our career. For me, it’s about finding the right person right now.

If you’re also interested in mentorship, here’s some more advice from our authors.

Recommended Reads

What’s the Right Way to Find a Mentor?

Start with a simple ask: a quick 15 to 30-minute virtual coffee break.

Read the full article.

Why You Need Multiple Mentors

It’s unrealistic to expect one person to have all the answers.

Read the full article here.

The Best Mentorships Help Both People Grow

Mentorship doesn’t have to be transactional. It can be a relationship that offers something powerful to both the mentee?and?the mentor.

Read the full article here.

Like what you just read??Our team of global editors shares personal stories and practical advice in a weekly version of this newsletter,?sign up here!