Mentoring—Greek meaning enduring—is a sustained
relationship wherein one person offers support, guidance, and assistance as the
other person goes through a difficult period, faces new challenges, or works to
correct problems. Natural mentoring occurs through friendship, collegiality, teaching,
coaching, and counseling. Planned mentoring occurs through structured programs
in which mentors and participants are selected and matched.
A mentor is a trusted counselor or guide—a wise, loyal advisor
or coach. A mentor is a more experienced person who guides another person’s
development, not done for personal gain but to serve three purposes: 1) improve
academic achievement; 2) develop the skills to enter or continue on a career path;
3) provide support during times of stress or decision making. Many different people
can mentor you for different needs. Your short-term mentors can teach you valuable
lessons and insights.
The productivity and effectiveness of your relationships are
directly determined by the quality and quantity of mutually shared information.
How can you find a mentor and get the relationship going? Here are
a few suggestions:
- Think about your goals. Where could you use advice or guidance? Are you considering starting a business? Are you navigating through a maze of opportunities? Or, are
you trying to sort out your priorities and slow down your career? Look for a mentor
who’s been there. This person is likely to understand the struggles you
may face, as well as the potential successes.
- Look for someone you know or have worked with. Past bosses can easily lead to mentors, because you already have a relationship with them. If you don’t
know someone already, join an association or voluntary organization where you
can work side-by-side.
- Once you find a mentor, keep the relationship going. Look for ways to contribute by getting to know your mentor’s challenges. In many mentoring relationships,
the mentor gets as much from the partnership as the mentee.
- Don’t expect one mentor to provide you everything or to always have
the perfect insight or suggestion. The mentor is just a person with more experience
than you. It doesn’t mean that you will choose to follow the same path or
advice.
If you want to develop into something more than you already are,
mentors can help you. If you can find more than one, from different walks of life
(and gender), that’s all the better! PE
