It is never too late to look for mentors or to be a mentor: Older Employees and Job Seekers

Time flew, and suddenly, I found myself considered a senior citizen in a protected class of worker. That does not mean my life is done, it does not mean that I still do not want to grow.

I made a move from Education to the Healthcare industry (incredibly happy about it), and even though I bring a lot of experience to my new industry, I am still a newbie. Basic professional 101, what do we do? We seek out information, we network, we seek out mentors. Seeking a mentor at this stage is different because our skillsets are transferable. No, what those of us in this situation are truly seeking are meaningful long-lasting professional relationships that could turn into friendships. I say this because for the older workers at this stage, this is probably our last job before we retire (or we hope it is). It is an interesting feeling to say the least…

So, my advice to those of you who are “extremely busy”, especially if you are younger; please remember that professional relationships are important in general, and very important to the older demographic because that is how we learned to get things done, and we also want to pass on our knowledge to someone younger. Never be too busy for conversation.

?A good and professional relationship can be more valuable than a family member who works in the same business, good professional relationships allow businesses to grow and allow accumulated knowledge to be shared. Not all knowledge can be downloaded and stored, certain things must be shared and learned the old fashion way. We have so many ways to communicate that do not involve sitting at a desk. The best networking conversations I have had were while I was driving home (using a Bluetooth device)!

This is not a criticism as much it is advice and a hope; hope that we never become too busy for conversations, because increasingly this what I am experiencing, or being told to essentially “Google it” or ghosted.

The soft skills and the little courtesies, these are what are truly cherished and remembered in the working world; so, let us not lose them. Please?

Things to think about…

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III

#firstimpressions #networking #mentorship #nevertooold #nevertoolate