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75% of executives say a mentor has helped them advance in their career.
A mentor can advise you, answer questions, and help put you on the right track. Mentors can also introduce you to people working in areas you are interested in.
Developing relationships with professors or colleagues from your past is a great way to grow your network and find a mentor.
Photo by Amy Hirschi on UnsplashStarting The Conversation
Reaching out can be intimidating! But Harvard Business Review suggests you "embrace the uncomfortable feeling" and reach out to a potential mentor.
Before contacting your potential mentor, do your homework on their background and field. You don't want to come across as unprepared.
In your first email, it's best to remind your former professor or colleague who you are and how you know them, especially if it's been a while since you last talked.
Instead of directly asking them to be your mentor, try to set up a meeting where you can pick their brain about their career path.
Dos And Don'ts
Don't
Ask them directly to help you get a job — you don't want to seem as if you're using them.
Show up late, check your phone, or act as if you are not valuing this person's time
Make any grammatical or spelling mistakes in your emails — proofread!
Quiz
What is a good sentence to include in your first email to your potential mentor?
You want to ask to hear about your mentor's career and take their advice. Asking for a two hour meeting is demanding too much of your mentor and is more likely to result in them turning you down. Asking for a job is too bold, and not how a healthy mentor-mentee relationship starts. Including typos makes you look unprepared and unprofessional.
Did you know?
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Take Action
Having a mentor is valuable!
It's smart to ask a former colleague or professor for help, but only if you do so respectfully and professionally.
Most people are happy to help out — so reach out to a former professor or colleague this week and start building a relationship!
Check out these Bytes for more guidance on reaching out to mentors:
This Byte has been authored by
Jaren Zinn
Student at Harvard University