Having the right mentor to guide you in your tech journey is really important; in fact, a CNBC survey found that 81% of people who have mentors are more satisfied with their job. Also, 79% of those with mentors are more likely to be well-paid, and 89% believe they tend to be more valued by their colleagues because they have a mentor. These are not just any stats, they are facts. Now, to truly benefit from mentorship, you need to be proactive, fully engaged and intentional about the relationship you want to build with your mentor.
How Can You Make the Most of Your Mentorship?
For you to enjoy a great mentorship experience, there are certain rules that you must follow. You have to put in the effort, and to do this, you need to:
- Have a Clear and Actionable Plan: For instance, ask yourself the following questions: What do I want to achieve with this mentorship? What career advice do I actually need? What areas do I need guidance on? Do I want to improve my technical skills? Do I need a mentor just for the sake of mentorship? Asking these questions will help you set realistic goals for yourself.
- Be Prepared: You need to understand that your mentors are busy humans. You can’t just reach out to them any day, anytime, asking unnecessary questions that you can get online. So, respect the fact that your mentor is taking time out of their busy schedule to attend to you. Make sure you have specific topics or questions that you want to ask before each meeting.
- Be Open to Feedback: There is a high chance that you will make some mistakes, so be open to genuine feedback from your mentor. It doesn’t have to be music to your ears, try to listen and apply it. They are your mentors because they have more experience than you, and they know better.
- Take the initiative: If your mentor suggests a book, course, video or skill to learn, make sure you actually follow through and share your progress. This will make your mentor happy and eager to guide you in the right direction.
- Follow up: After every meeting, send a quick message to them thanking them for their time and teachings. Give them regular updates on what you have done with the advice given.
Asking the Right Questions from Your Mentors
As said earlier, try not to waste your mentor’s time by asking irrelevant or unnecessary questions. If you are just starting out and you are not sure what to ask your mentor, here are a few questions you can start with:
- How did you get to where you are today?
- What skills should I focus on to grow in my field?
- How do I stand out when applying for jobs or promotions?
- How do I answer industry-based interview questions?
- What’s a mistake you made early in your career, and what did you learn from it?
- How do you handle setbacks or failures?
- What advice do you have for dealing with imposter syndrome?
- Are there any industry events or communities you recommend?
- Can you introduce me to someone who could help with my career goals?
- How can I expand my professional network?
- What skills helped you the most in your career?
- What would you do differently if you could start over?
- What trends should I be paying attention to in my industry?
- How do you approach networking and relationship-building?
- How do I handle criticism?
Asking these thoughtful questions will show your mentor that you are serious about learning and growing.
Once you have learnt and gained enough experience, consider giving back by becoming a mentor yourself. Women in the tech industry need more female mentors, you can fill in the gap by becoming one.
Start by offering guidance and helping other women who are in the exact position you were once in. Share your knowledge with others by writing blogs, posting on LinkedIn, or speaking at events. Encourage other women and share your personal experience with them. This will help them grow and forge ahead in their career path.
Remember that being a good mentee is not just about receiving advice, it is about learning, applying the guidance in your journey and growing.
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