The Power of Mentorship
Lessen Your Struggle with a Mentor
Mentorship is a helpful tool for those looking to improve their current situation. Weather you need it for a job, a trade, or even for school. They can be very helpful. So how do you find a mentor?
Finding a Mentor
Within my previous semester in college I obtained a mentor. I found the organization that offers mentorship through a random search for college scholarships. When I was applying for a scholarship, I saw they have a mentorship program eligible for use by current undergraduate students. After I received my mentor we set a time to meet. During our first conversation I encountered my first glimpse into long lasting support.
Below are some ways I was also able to find a mentor
Linkedin
First you want to formally introduce yourself to a potential prospect. Then you schedule a time to meet one on one. From there you can figure out weather this person is a good fit or not for a mentor.
Higher Education Student Services
My school has a federally funded program called TRiO Student Support Services where you are offered support as a student at universities with the program. Depending on the program students can sign up for a Peer Mentor in the same grade level and are automatically assigned to an advisor to help with academic related questions.
Employment
See if your current place of employment has a mentorship program. At my part time job they recently launched a mentorship program to pair individuals with executive employees.
What to Discuss in Meetings
During our meetings my mentor and I tend to discuss a multitude of things. Below are some ideas to get you started
What are 3 goals do you want to achieve with the help your mentor?
What is the layout of your meetings? Time, date, and location are helpful to know.
What kind of mentor would you like to have based upon your needs? Personal or professional?
If you are stuck in your current position, having a mentor can launch you in the right direction. There will always be someone who has more experience than you. Why not use that to your advantage and have them share some advice with you?