About the interviewee
One impactful experience I had when entering the workforce was when my first manager took the time to personally introduce me to everyone in the office, speaking highly of my potential within the company. This gesture not only made me feel valued but also opened numerous doors to connect with various people and mentors. These connections proved invaluable throughout my career at the company, within the industry, and in life in general, offering support and guidance whenever needed.
Another thing I find valuable is being part of mentor communities, which serve as a gateway to connecting with women or professionals in the industry. It's wonderful to create that community of mentorship, perhaps through casual lunch meetings on Tuesdays, where perspectives and information are shared among all parties.
Mentors are the people around you. They're your community, the people you meet with on Tuesdays. And in my experience, I found mentors through connections with others.
At the end of the day, it’s the individuals who support your growth and whom you support in return – shaping your journey through both career and personal life. These connections have helped guide me through the industry, assisting in decisions about which departments to pursue, and providing invaluable support networks along the way.
A mentor-mentee relationship should be authentic, honest, and genuine. For me, mentors are individuals who are just a phone call or text away, ready to offer support and guidance whenever needed.
Each mentor-mentee conversation, in my book, is a little bit different – and it depends on the specific needs or questions at hand. Sometimes, you might reach out to one mentor for their perspective on a particular issue, while with another mentor, you might schedule periodic check-ins to maintain the connection.
A: When entering a new industry or role where you’re seeking mentorship, I would lean on the people around you. Schedule one-on-one meetings and grab coffee with your colleagues – including people you haven't met yet. Say hello in the break room if you're in an office environment or grab virtual coffee. Just focus on creating bridges between people to find the tribe that you can lean on.
Q: Do you have anything you’d like to add?
It’s important to get out of your comfort zone in the role, perspectives, and environments you're in, and mentors can help you do that. Without having those transparent, authentic conversations, you may not get to the place that you need to be.
If you hear something on a podcast, reach out to the podcaster. If you see something on LinkedIn from an influential person that you follow, don't be afraid to follow them further through that thought process. This is another great way to connect with mentors outside of the workplace. If you don't reach out to someone, they'll never know that you want mentorship or guidance from them. And the worst thing that happens is they don't respond, right?