Do you have a mentor?
No matter what stage of life you’re in, having a mentor is a must. But don’t feel bad if you’re someone who doesn’t have a mentor. You’re sure not alone. So many people don’t have a mentor that’s helping them. But we can totally change that, and change it easily!
First, let’s start by really understanding what a mentor is. A mentor is someone that is invested in you long-term and gives you advice and support. They’re someone who is there to give you wisdom. The best mentors are ones who help unlock your own potential, ask a lot of questions, and help you find your own answers to any difficult situation that you’re navigating. Whether this is someone that’s helping you in school situations, work situations, or just general life success, mentors are really important.
If you’re looking for a mentor, the most important question to ask yourself is what you’re looking for? Another way of thinking about this is why do you need a mentor? For example, do you need a mentor to help open up career connections? Do you need a mentor to guide you through interviewing for internships? Do you need a mentor to help you navigate friendships and relationships at school? Do you need a mentor to give you wisdom on transitioning into a new and unknown stage of life? Know why you need a mentor first.
Then, start thinking about the people that could possibly fit this profile. Likely, you might already know someone that could be helpful. Try writing down all the people that could help you with the reason that you already know you need a mentor. Next, you want to try and reach out to them. Be really thoughtful with contacting them. Often, mentors can be busy and swamped, so extend communication with a specific ask, and a specific introduction about who you are and what you want to discuss with them. Side note, anytime you reach out to someone that you don’t know well, asking to “pick their brain” will rarely be successful. Be specific, thoughtful, and conscientious of their time.
Like any relationship, mentorships are a two way street. Your mentor needs to see value in helping you as much as you see value in being helped by them. These mentoring relationships take time to build and aren’t always a one hit wonder. Once you meet with someone who can help you, follow up, and stay in touch. Over time, this meeting can turn into a more formal mentoring relationship by seeking ongoing support from this person in a way that’s respectful of their time.
So this week, if you’re without a mentor in your life, take time to ask yourself what area of your life could use a mentor, and then start writing down people you know personally, or through a degree of connection, as a list of prospective mentors who you can meet with in the future. This is the best first step to finding a mentor who can be on your side through many situations in the long run.
