Comments on: Twentysomething: How I've been finding my best mentors

By: Rosetta Thurman » The Friday Four: Links to End the Week

Rosetta Thurman » The Friday Four: Links to End the Week — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:27:43 +0000

[...] Healy guest posts some valuable advice on Twentysomething: How I’ve been finding my best mentors on the Brazen Careerist [...]

By: Jay Hargis

Jay Hargis — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 23:34:02 +0000

At a company I worked with, mentees and mentors were assigned to each other via a matching program. One of the biggest challenges was meeting the mentees expectations. It became evident that most mentees joined the program in order to find the secret recipe for getting promoted. Since that was the main interest of the mentee, it became incumbent upon the mentor to do most of the work–and, if the mentee didn't get promoted in the next cycle, the mentor could be looked upon as a failure.

I think that if an organization is going to create a formal mentor/mentee program, it is critical that the mentee understand that the relationship is just as much their responsibiliy as it is the mentors. It has to be a 50/50 deal or it won't work.

It is also critical that both mentor and mentee come to the table with relationship expectations. It is ok to let each other know your dreams and aspirations along with helping you sell an idea internally or talking career strategy. Remember, it is supposed to be fun–for both of you.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:54:24 +0000

Awesome Post! Perhaps the hardest part is building the courage to make the first email. I've found that a lot of people in my age group are worried about looking desperate.

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:52:12 +0000

Most of the time, the answer to our endless search is to look at the right place. We've encountered a lot of problems regarding time when we look for the right person. It's in our decision on where to search.

By: Jovie Baclayon

Jovie Baclayon — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:46:33 +0000

Great advice! I find that a lot of young people are too hesitant when it comes to finding mentors — they don't want to "bother" anyone. Most would-be mentors are more than willing to share their expertise with someone else who really wants to learn — just be sincere and offer your help in return.

20-somethings should also remember that former professors or even high school teachers make great mentors (whether they remember you or not) so don't be afraid to reach back out to them.

By: Moneymonk

Moneymonk — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:36:01 +0000

Power of Association. It never fails

By: Stephanie Sheaffer

Stephanie Sheaffer — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:01:45 +0000

Great post!

I'm always on-the-lookout for mentors because I think they are crucial for personal and professional success. I love learning from those who have gone before me.

One quick question: when you pursue a mentoring relationship, do you actually ask the person to mentor you (using those words) or is it more of an unstated relationship?

******** I would stay away from actually asking someone to mentor you. It can put undue pressure on them. Also, a mentor can mean a few quick emails or phone calls a month in your mind, but someone else may think of it as a huge time commitment.

By: Nina

Nina — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:39:44 +0000

Ryan,

Over the years, my best mentors have been managers or senior executives that I’ve clicked with - much in the same way that a friendship might naturally develop. I can name 5 mentors from the past 18 years that have influenced my career path, job satisfaction and earning potential but I never had the “please, be my mentor” conversation with any of them.

I would encourage you to not be too process oriented or calculated with your mentor-finding approach but rather focus on connecting with someone that can be the wiser, older friend. Typically, chemistry is what begets the friendship while hierarchy and experience makes them a mentor.

******** There is no tried and true process to find a mentor. These were merely suggestions to get things going. Like I said at the end, reach out to someone and the details will work themselves out.

By: Jacqui

Jacqui — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:38:55 +0000

My best mentor came out of a fundraising presentation I gave to a professional organization, asking for money to help send me to a leadership conference.

Not only did the organization make a donation, but a met someone who offered to pick up the difference, on the condition that I tell her all about it when I got back. It turned into years of a great mentorship/friendship.

By: Billy Bjorn

Billy Bjorn — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:38:57 +0000

I would very much agree. I found a mentor in someone in my parent’s network. Several phone calls later, lots of advice and questions back and forth, had an interview set up which led to a sponsorship to a symposium/congress – and lots of loitering and hand shaking later I found myself talking with a branch manager who later gave me a job in his office. Not everyone can become a consultant this way, and my timing was ass-kicking-ly lucky – but it all started with my folk’s friend who was more than happy to send advice and comments my way through my job-search period.

Bottom line: there are people who actually WANT to see you succeed, and if not for you, then for themselves (Karma?) - and there are people out there who will give you a job for being yourself.

******** That sure was "ass-kicking-ly lucky." I wouldn't expect every relationship to result in a great job, but one of them very well may in the future.