Mentorship 101: Finding Your Mentor and Leveling Up Your Life

Today is National Mentoring Day! While a whole day dedicated to mentorship may seem a bit unnecessary, the importance of a mentor in your career and personal life is quite crucial and perhaps deserves this level of recognition. According to an Olivet Nazarene University survey , 56 percent of people said they’ve had a professional mentor throughout their career.?

If you’re part of the 44 percent who haven’t had a mentor in your life, you may be wondering, “Why do I need one?”? Well, beyond having someone wiser and?more experienced to provide an outside perspective on your current and future plans, here are a few other reasons why having a mentor is important for everyone:?

1. Personal and professional development – A trusted mentor can provide life-changing advice. In the words of Bob Proctor, “A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.”?
2. Broaden your network – Your mentor is likely well connected, or at least differently connected than you are. Especially if your mentor is within your field or a field you’d like to break into, you never know what kind of connections or opportunities they can open you up to.??
3. Improve your workplace satisfaction – According to a 2019 survey from CNBC and Survey Monkey, 91% of workers who have a mentor are satisfied with their jobs. Over half of the respondents (57%) from this same survey indicated that they were “very satisfied” at work.?

“If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before.”

— J Loren Norris

Finding Your Mentor?

Now that you know you need a mentor, the next step is finding the right one!??

Here are a few notes to consider when selecting a mentor:?

• Your own goals – Be sure to take some time to think about what you’d like your future and career path to look like before selecting a mentor. While a mentor can help guide you, they shouldn’t have to start from scratch. Map out some goals for yourself, or at least try to determine a general direction.?
• Industry – It can be especially helpful to have a mentor in the same or similar field as you. This way they can speak from personal experience and provide more practical advice when it comes to advancing your career. Although not entirely necessary, it can definitely be advantageous to target someone in your same career niche.?
• Level – While it may be fun to chat with a peer, and you may even learn something, the point of a mentor is to seek guidance from someone more experienced than you. Consulting?someone who has not only been in your shoes but has also seen growth and success from this point is both reassuring and pragmatic. ?

Starting your search to find a mentor may be as easy as inspecting your own network. It also may be worth talking to your supervisor or HR department. Many larger companies have their own in-house mentorship program or may be interested in starting one. Even if there isn’t a formal program, these key players may have someone in mind or be able to point you in the right direction.? ?

Check out these?resources for more guidance in finding your?perfect mentor fit: ?

• Find a business mentor or take a workshop through Score .?
• Check out a free webinar on Ten Thousand Coffees . ??
• Check out the University of Washington’s Mentoring Toolkit .?
• NPR has a great podcast on finding a mentor and making it work. It’s a quick 21-minute crash course! ?

Asking Someone to Be Your Mentor?

After you’ve determined whom you’d like to be your mentor, there’s still one sizable step left: popping the question! Okay, not that question. It’s still a big one though.?Being a mentor can be a big commitment. Make sure you’re prepared to answer the following.?

• Why did you choose this individual??
• How often and for how long will you meet??
• When and where will you meet??
• What will you discuss during your meetings??
• What are your?professional goals??
• What do you aim to get out of this mentorship??

Coming prepared with this information will help you sell your case. Show them that you value their time, talent, and advice.??

The impact of a mentor?is immeasurable and should be celebrated! If you have a mentor, be sure to thank them today, and if you don’t—?well, you know what to do. ???