Having a mentor is a big opportunity for professional development, allowing you to improve your work performance and boost your career.
At the beginning of your career it’s a great idea to find a mentor to help you start out, and even if you are changing careers later on after being in the same role for many years then it could also be a good time to get a career mentor.
Knowing that you are learning from someone that has been successful in the same career as you will help to build your confidence and they will be able to provide you with some great feedback when you deal with challenges you might face along the way.
You may not realise it but finding a mentor can be a vital part of anyone’s career, so don’t miss out on the guidance a mentor can bring!
Here are some ways a mentor can help you:
Develop your strengths:
A mentor can help you identify areas that you can work on, which will help to make you stronger. They might be able to point out some assets you might not fully realise, and sometimes you may need help as often developing those strengths isn’t something you can do on your own.
Connect with new people:
Once you have been in the same industry for many years you start to find that more people know each other. Your mentor will most likely have access to many individuals, and networking with new people will help boost your opportunities.
Help set goals:
A mentor can help by setting personal or professional development goals. For example they can create SMART goals, this will help the mentee and also make it easier for the mentor to track and assess progress.
Connecting with a mentor can change your career in many ways… some that you didn’t even know were possible! So, whether you’re just starting out in your career or have already started, a mentor can come in and provide guidance and support when you need it.