This blog was written for International Mentoring Day (17th January 2025), as a part of National Mentoring Month, a month-long celebration that emphasises the importance of mentoring, encourages participation in mentoring programmes and raises awareness of the value of mentorship.
In the early stages of your career, there is so much to think about. From choosing the right path for you, to gaining work experience, it can all feel very overwhelming. This can often be paired with a lot of self-doubt. Have I chosen the right field? Am I developing my knowledge and skills?
Will I be good enough?
The importance of having a guiding force to be able to navigate these questions and improve confidence is immense. Having a good mentor can provide advice, help you connect with the right individuals, upskill and expand your knowledge; as well as provide a safe space to communicate worries and concerns.
What Should You look for in a mentor?
A mentor once told me, “You won’t get if you don’t ask”. This has remained imprinted in my brain ever since, but to take it one step further- “You won’t get if you don’t ask the right people”. Thinking about the right kind of mentor for you, is the most important step in guaranteeing a successful mentorship.
So, the first question to ask yourself is, ‘What are my goals and how can a mentor help me to achieve them?
It’s a big question and can feel daunting, but it’s an important initial thought. Think about the career path you’d like to follow and if there is somebody senior in that field that can help you get there. Or perhaps there is someone in a completely different profession with a particular skillset that you’d like to develop.
Once you’re aware of what you’re looking for, it’ll then become easier to have filters in place to narrow down your search for a mentor. Here are potential qualities you could look for in a mentor:
Committed to mentoring: It may sound obvious, but does the person in mind see the value of being a mentor? A mentor that is open to communicating and meeting on a set basis is crucial. Many mentors will have busy schedules, that you should always be respectful of, but a good mentor will set out how much time they can commit from the very beginning... then stick to it!
Fuels learning: Good mentors will always push you to expand your skill sets and continue learning... their passion should be infectious and motivating! A good mentor will provide you with solutions to problems. However, a great mentor will listen to issues and push you in the right direction to conclude your own solutions.
Enables networking: Find someone who will instil in you the importance of networking and reaching out to relevant people in your industry. They will allow you to leverage their professional and personal networks, connecting you to individuals who can continue to fuel your personal and professional growth. Additionally, mentors are extremely beneficial in sharing their knowledge of important events like conferences, seminars and workshops for you to attend.
Never sugarcoats: A good mentor will give effective feedback so that you can develop and will always be encouraging, yet open and honest, rather than only suggesting what you may want to hear, without having insightful input. The ability to differentiate between a realistic and unrealistic goal is extremely important for professional and personal development and a good mentor will help you set realistic goals and give you tangible action points to reach them.
Where Should I Look for a Mentor?
Not knowing where to begin your search for the right mentor is a valid concern, and as a fellow mentee, I can vouch for the fact that there is no one right place. The trick is to try in many different places. As long as you are always respectful and polite, there is no reason to be nervous about reaching out to people!
Here are some places you can look for mentors:
Your own network: The easiest way to find a potential mentor is by leveraging your own network. Is there someone in your organisation or perhaps a friend of a friend you’d like to connect with?
Social media: Websites like LinkedIn are a great place to connect with people when email addresses are not easily accessible. Building your own profile and engaging with others can help build your network and find potential mentors.
Alumni Networks: Leverage your university alumni networks and attend alumni events.
Events: Conferences, seminars, networking events and professional workshops also present great opportunities to interact with people from your industry.
Final Thoughts
So, over to you! Grab a pen and paper, make a cup of tea (optional!) and think about how a mentor could help you and the qualities you’re looking for.
Dream big! Maybe one mentor isn't enough for what you want to achieve? Maybe you need a different mentor for each phase of your career? But, at least start your search now to find THE one – the one who fuels your passion, motivates, guides and supports you towards achieving all your milestones and celebrates them with you!
As a mentee, continue to be appreciative of all those who share their insights with you, give valuable inputs and push you in the right directions. Perhaps next International Mentoring Day you can give back by passing on their guidance to a mentee of your own!
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