University Advancement Office Alumni and Friends

The Career Value of Mentoring

How do we make decisions about our careers? How do we find out if we are in the right area, how to handle specific problems, or what direction to move in? Learning from the experiences of others can be a great way to develop your own career potential.

Contents

What is a Career Mentor?

We often talk to people whose opinion we value, whether they be a teacher, colleague, relative or friend. Being less experienced, we turn to those who have a broader perspective and understanding of the career issues we are confronting. This person is a Career Mentor, even if only a temporary one.

Everyone can have a Career Mentor, you just need to find the right person and approach them in the right way.

The traditional view of a mentor is of an experienced person providing long-term guidance and support to someone less experienced, as in the ëmaster and apprenticeí relationship. However, in the pressured, dynamic, technology-driven modern workplace, a Career Mentor could be any person who is in a position to point out to a ëmenteeí their range of options and possibilities, while at the same time encouraging them to take responsibility for their own career pathway. Individuals may have multiple mentors, providing different aspects of the mentoring role ñperhaps one to discuss career development, another to provide personal support, and another to work on specific skills ñfor varying lengths of time and with varying degrees of closeness. Your Career Mentor does not even need to be in the same country as you, now that the internet provides instant communication all over the world.

If you think about it, you may already have a Career Mentor, or you may in fact be one!

How finding a Career Mentor can help you progress at work

Having a Career Mentor is about flexibility. There are no rules or restrictions, so you can negotiate a mentoring relationship that meets your own specific needs. For example:

Ask your mentor those questions you canít ask your boss ñ in case it shows how little you know!

Mentee quote: "Personally, my mentor was a contact and a foot in the door to gain future employment. It was good to talk to someone about their experience and put my career into context. He helped me make my own decisions.

How becoming a Career Mentor can help you, too

Mentoring is a reciprocal relationship. Being a mentor has enormous rewards, some of them quite unexpected. Not only do you gain access to new networks and the latest information, but also to different ways of looking at things. Importantly, it also aids your professional development. It is a great way of demonstrating to your managers that you are taking on a leadership role, using your own initiative.

Mentoring is flourishing in the corporate and educational spheres. Many senior staff, including chief executive officers and managing directors, become mentors to enhance their own skills base and further their learning opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a Career Mentor for a University of Melbourne student, to help their transition into the workplace, see the Career Mentor Connection website.

Mentor quote: My mentee was able to approach me on a number of issues concerning her career within the industry and found some other options she may never have otherwise considered.

How to find the right Career Mentor for you

Many organisations and professional associations now offer formal mentoring programs to support and encourage their members. If you have access to a program, do take advantage of this opportunity. Even it you donít establish a life-changing friendship, you will still gain enormous value from the inside information and networks your mentor can provide.

Where no formal program is available, mentoring is still possible. Sometimes, for the lucky ones, mentors offer themselves or develop organically. For the rest of us, we have to do some work ñ although it might be easier than you expect.

The first step is to think about what you need from a Career Mentor. Is it general career advice, or are you looking to change careers? Are you hoping to develop particular skills relevant to your workplace? Do you need to broaden your networks? Are you looking for someone to support and guide you in your current career? Once you have established your primary goal, you now need to start listing all the people you can think of who may be able to assist you to reach this goal.

Generally speaking, your line manager would not make the best mentor, as there will be a conflict of interest in their role. They may, however, be able to suggest a range of potential mentors ñfor example, others in your organisation, or contacts in your industry or profession. Think about people you admire and consider if it is realistic to approach them. Ask relatives and friends if they might know of anyone suitable. Do not hesitate to talk to people more senior than yourself; they will often be delighted to help or may be able to offer other suggestions. Use all the networks you have, such as sporting clubs, church, schools or cultural groups. Former teachers and colleagues you studied with are an especially good resource ñit's worth staying in touch.

By talking to as many people as possible, you will be able to narrow down your search to the best possible match - and incidentally, you will be broadening your networks at the same time.

You've found the right mentor - now how do you form a relationship?

Once you have identified your potential Career Mentor, you will need to prepare carefully before approaching them. Begin by doing background research, as you would for an important job interview, so that you know their areas of interest and expertise. If possible, have a mutual friend or acquaintance introduce you, or use their name when introducing yourself. Alternatively, get involved with your potential mentor through your professional association.

When you make contact, either in person or in writing, begin with positive feedback. Explain that you admire the way they have managed a project, or presented on a topic, for example, and that you would like to learn from them. The term ëmentorí can mean different things to different people, so donít ask ìcan you be my mentor?î Instead, make a specific request based on the goal you established earlier. Keep it simple, such as advice on a presentation, or help in making a career decision.

If there is something you can offer in exchange, let your potential mentor know. Perhaps it could involve some volunteer work (which will of course assist you, too), locating resources ñor offer to take them out to lunch in exchange for a chat. Mentoring works best when it's a reciprocal relationship.

Start by arranging for a short meeting at the mentorís convenience (always respect the mentorís busy schedule). Begin by giving the mentor a chance to tell you about themselves ñ ìHow did you get started?î is a good ice-breaker. Prepare a list of questions that are focused on your goals, using Careers & Employment's Career Research: Informational Interviewing flyer (pdf 197kb) as a guide. If your mentor is not accessible for a meeting, send them an email outlining your own background, your goals, and a list of three or four specific questions.

If all goes well, follow up your first meeting by calling to say "thank you" and describing how they have helped you. You are now ready to ask if they are prepared for a more ongoing relationship. Suggest that, as the first contact was so beneficial, a regular meeting or email could be arranged. Work around your mentorís schedule, and remember to offer whatever you can in return.
Courtesy is the fundamental key of mentoring. Whatever happens, the person you have approached will feel flattered, and you will have left a good impression of your initiative and enthusiasm.

Online mentoring

The internet is another source of potential mentors. Personal connections are not always necessary, and using search functions or work-related sources can lead to wonderful mentors who are flattered to be contacted.

Email makes mentoring more accessible and more convenient for many mentors and mentees. It is easier to fit in a quick email response than to find time for a meeting. Email can also provide a good medium for dealing with specific requests.

As a guide, mentees should ask mentors no more than three or four questions per email. The questions should be intelligent (make a good impression), open-ended (to receive a more considered response) and professional (use respectful and accurate language). If you have agreed to continue contact, ensure your next email builds on the previous ones, to show you have understood and reflected on the mentorís views.

A final word

Do not expect your Career Mentor to do all your hard work or solve your problems. Their role is to suggest different options, provide the broader perspective and facilitate your own workplace learning. Clarify your goals, and plan your mentoring with these in mind. Ensure your mentor understands what you hope to achieve together, but be flexible and open-minded. For more hints about mentoring strategies and activities, visit www.services.unimelb.edu.au/cmc.

With effort and good will, your Career Mentoring can become a gateway to a whole new world.

References

Barton K, 'Will you mentor me?', Training and Development, May 2002, Vol. 56 Issue 5 pp. 90-94.

Redfern J, 'Career mentor: professional guidance can help you take your career forward', Nursing Standard, May 2004, Vol 18 Issue 35, p 96.

Whiting V R & de Janasz S C, 'Mentoring in the 21st century: Using the internet to build skills and networks', Journal of Management Education, June 2004, Vol. 28 No.3 pp. 275-293.


Liz Everist, Project Officer, Career Mentor Connection Program
© The University of Melbourne 2004

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