PICTURE: PEXELS/ A MENTOR
Building a career can seem overwhelming, particularly if you’re attempting to do it alone.
Mentoring can be useful in this situation. Not only does a good mentor have more experience, but they also listen, offer guidance, and open your eyes to possibilities you might not have thought of.
What is a mentor?
According to the Art of Mentoring, “A mentor is someone with valuable experience and knowledge who offers guidance and support. In mentoring programs, mentors are not just advisers; they are guides who help promote professional growth and skill development within the company. They share insights and can open doors that might otherwise remain closed to a mentee.”
If you also look at it this way, it can be immensely comforting to hear about their highs and lows. It helps to feel a little less uncertain about your path to know that someone else has overcome similar obstacles.
The University of Southampton states that among the many advantages of mentoring are support for personal growth, help achieving career goals, assistance in filling skill gaps, boosted confidence, a wider view of careers, access to senior role models, knowledge of university culture, and mentoring/coaching abilities.
The job portal Indeed claims that even being a mentor has benefits, such as developing your leadership abilities, enhancing your knowledge, growing your network, getting recognition, and improving your interpersonal skills. Communication, active listening, empathy, and patience are examples of interpersonal skills that are essential for productive teamwork and relationship development.
The above portal also adds that as you give your mentee advice and share pertinent experiences, mentoring also helps you become more knowledgeable. Professional connections and opportunities for advancement can result from networking. Mentoring also improves your personal brand and resume.
Also see: Freedom, finance & fearless futures start with Momentum’s bold conversations