Why Mentors are Important!

Many mentors list their passion for helping others as a strong motivator for their involvement and find great reward in seeing students develop as a professional. Mentors help support and shape the next generation of individuals to achieve their professional goals, and this is reciprocal as mentors are given the opportunity to develop themselves further as leaders.

Words describing a good mentor include respectful, honest, positive, enthusiastic, experienced, optimistic, realistic, encouraging, strategic, supportive, sensitive and ‘human’.

How do you find a mentor?

Mentoring is often informal, subtle and non-exclusive and is easier to get if you are engaged in a range of activities such as committees and social events. It is important to talk to your colleagues – who mentors them? How did they meet? Who do they recommend? Word of mouth is a powerful thing!

Some organizations have formal mentoring programs. Such programs are often under-utilized and under-valued. Yet they are an excellent avenue to mentors who are prepared to devote time and energy in facilitating the professional development of those around them. A mentoring program is particularly useful if you are shy, lack confidence, have moved interstate/internationally or simply do not know where to begin

Benefits of having a Mentor:

1. They help you to learn from real time experience.
2. They help you in building the required connection for growth and prospects.
3. They help you in listening to your ideas and provide a safe place to bounce your ideas.
4. They help you in advancing to your careers.
5. Finally.. They help you identify your energy and channelize it in the right direction.