Having a mentor is one of the best ways to learn and grow your professional career. But what are some specific ways that mentors can assist you with reaching those career goals and aspirations?
The word mentor elicits thoughts and comparisons to a teacher or coach in many people’s minds. These are certainly synonymous with a mentor in that they teach you the ins and outs of the industry, offer wise advice and counsel, and motivate you to set lofty goals for yourself. However, mentorship is an even more personal and individualized plan than that of a teacher or coach — even if they share many traits and characteristics.
Mentors will teach you many professional lessons along the way, but they will also invest in you. They will invest their time and energy to help you figure out your career arc and how you can take the necessary steps to achieve your goals.
Another excellent aspect of having a mentor is that you will have an advocate who’s in your corner, giving you constructive feedback. A good mentor will offer helpful feedback and encourage you; a great mentor will offer feedback — even if it is difficult for you to hear — and encourage you to be better and aim higher. Honesty and transparency can be uncomfortable at times, but when you know a mentor is looking out for your best interest, it makes constructive criticism easier to accept.
Something we may not consider as we aspire to a similar position or title as our mentor are the obstacles that will inevitably come up along the way. Your mentor can be a major asset to help you navigate those roadblocks and cut through that red tape. Additionally, they can share with you the mistakes or missteps they made along the journey, saving you the trouble of having to learn it the hard way yourself.
Lastly, much like the challenges and pitfalls of the career journey, your mentor knows what it takes to get your ultimate goal. Don’t be afraid to ask them what skills you should enhance as you work toward that position or career status — they’ll be able to pinpoint the most important skills and even point you in the direction of courses or other professional development trainings to help you attain the necessary skills.
A final note for mentees: Consider the time and sacrifice your mentor will be making for you — don’t take entering into a mentoring relationship lightly. Be sure you are ready to invest a similar amount of effort into the relationship, because you will get out of it what you are willing to put into it.