The biggest piece of advice I can give anyone who is looking to jump into a new industry is FIND A MENTOR! I have absolutely no idea how I became so blessed to find the ones that I have now but I am not letting them go anywhere (sorry guys, you’re stuck with me).
ANYWAY…
Mentors are like little gifts from the heavens that only release you on your own once your wings have developed. However, they never actually leave. Mentors (good ones at least) will always be either watching over you or be a short email (thank you technology) away.
I could go on an on about what it takes to be a good mentor or why my mentors are the best (which I would love to do) but I want to focus on why you need a mentor, because trust me…everyone needs one.
- Someone to confide in. Pretty self explanatory
- A fresh point of view. Sure, a friend or a parent could also provide advice, but that advice might come with some extra baggage, simply due to the nature of your relationship. A mentor can offer a truly new and objective perspective.
- Opportunities for networking. They know who you need to know and are able to create that connection.
- Provide a source of inspiration. Your mentor should be in your same career path, ideally doing the job that you want to have one day. What a better way to learn then from someone doing what you want to do?
- Offers motivation when you most need it. A mentor is your personal cheerleader (pom poms optional).
- Be your best critic. Sometimes you need a slap in the face with a reality stick, they are going to give it to you in the best and most constructive way (although it still might sting).
- Offers years of relevant experience. If you have a question about anything, your mentor is a walking, talking version of Google (mostly for their area of business but maybe they can teach you piano and other random tasks too). So skip the computer and take advantage of your mentor’s skill set.
- Define goals. One of your mentor’s skills is that he or she has been there and done that as far as your career is concerned. Having already walked the walk themselves, they can advise you on the next steps to keep you on track for success.
- Act as an ally. The job market is brutal. You can use all the friends you can get.
- Make you more effective and efficient.