What exactly is a mentor and why are they so important?
A mentor is someone in your field that is more experienced and can offer you advice, career guidance, and encouragement as you establish yourself in your profession. In short, mentors are a fabulous resource, and you should do everything you can to learn how to cultivate relationships with a mentor throughout your career.
Mentors can give you a “been there, done that” view, and save you from big and small career mistakes. They can help you set and achieve career goals, make smart business decisions, overcome workplace challenges, learn new skills or simply offer an outside perspective when you’re feeling down or overwhelmed at work. The benefits are truly endless. So, think of NOW as a great time to make finding a mentor a top priority.
Benefits for Interns and New Employees
One of the challenges of working in a new setting is understanding the corporate culture. Getting a grasp on the beliefs, behaviors and work attitude of a company’s employees is often a key to furthering an employment relationship. The organizational structure and nuances around getting things done aren’t always intuitive. This is where a mentors experience can help you navigate the complexities and make that all-important positive impression that will help you succeed.
With the right mentor, the benefits are many, and include:
- A boost to your self-esteem
- Professional growth and enhancement of your work skills
- Identification of weak areas to improve
- Identification of areas to target for training and development
- Introductions to new people and strengthening of existing relationships
- Improved problem solving skills
- Insights into career pathing
Benefits for the Mentor
The benefits of a mentoring relationship aren’t one-sided. Mentors report numerous benefit from these relationships as well, including:
- Increased job satisfaction
- Enhancement of skills problem solving/strategic thinking
- Professional Development
- Improved self-esteem
- Greater self-confidence
Mentors show their commitment to their organization by helping others become better. They care enough to help others achieve the successes they have enjoyed. In general, they are simply good people that care enough to help develop the right good people around them.
Lifelong Benefits
The short-term potential of a mentor relationship should be quite apparent, but don’t forget the long-term benefits. When you take the time to develop a strong mentorship relationship, you will not only have access to a wealth of knowledge and experience, but will have a trusted ally, a lifelong friend and potential future business partner. There’s no downside, so invest in developing a mentor relationship today.
We at Knopman Marks wish you every success as you develop in your career. Thanks for checking in, and stay in touch!
