Finding Your Mentor
A couple of weeks ago, I was standing in my first conference since the start of the pandemic. I was so excited to share a room with so many prominent professionals in the PR industry that I nearly forgot about the subject of the conference altogether. After the networking session came to an end, my colleague, Lauren Stitt, and I ended our conversations and settled down in our seats as the title of the main event was projected onto a screen in front of us: The Plank Center Milestones in Mentorship Gala.
The event began with a short introduction about the importance of mentorship, which was followed by the presentation of each of the award winners from a mentee who nominated them. Each speaker had a heartwarming and inspiring story about how their mentor had taken the time and energy to make a massive change in their lives, and why they deserved their award. It made me think of all the different professors and professionals that have helped set me on a path towards success.
If you do not have a mentor but wish you did, consider me your temporary mentor as I share my advice for best navigating your mentor search.
Decisions, Decisions
First things first, decide why you want a mentor. Defining your current problems or goals will help you as you begin your search. If you are lucky, you may have already met someone who you think could be the right match. If not, don’t sweat it! You have the world at your fingertips. Using online professional networking tools like LinkedIn or browsing your college’s alumni databases are both great ways to see who is out there. Try to narrow down your search to focus on specific attributes of a mentor that would best suit your goal with this endeavor. For example, you could use one or all of the following categories to help you find the right match:
Company / Agency
Industry
Location
Alma mater
Background / Story
Passions
Reaching Out
Congrats, you’ve found someone who you are interested in and are gearing up to reach out! In your research, you should have also found an appropriate method of contacting them. In your first point of contact, be sure to include the following information:
An introduction
Why you are reaching out, and why specifically to them
Appreciation for their time and a clear expression of intent to follow through
...And send! Be patient when waiting to hear back but, once you receive an affirmative response, hop on the opportunity immediately. Accommodate to their schedule when setting up the initial meeting and do your best to figure out what method of mentoring works best for both of you. Maybe you meet virtually once a month or keep in touch over email; no matter what you do, mentorship should be a unique experience that caters to both of your needs. Remember, this is a give and take relationship; don’t lose sight of the possibility that your mentor could learn something from you too!
Note: When asked to be a mentor, some professionals may say no or point you in a different direction. If so, be sure to thank them for their time and consideration nonetheless. You never know if their answer will change in the future!
Following Through
Mentorship is not just someone spending their time and energy on giving you advice when you feel like it. Make sure you are showing them that the role they play in your professional life is important to you. Follow through with your mentorship by showing up to every meeting prepared with questions or topics of discussion, reaching out consistently and professionally, and showing them that their time and effort is making a difference. Actively listen and put their advice into action. If you eventually find that their thinking is not in line with your goals, perhaps they are not the right mentor for you.
Remember to Say Thank You
Last and certainly not least, my best advice is to remember to say thank you. Your mentor’s dedication to your education, career, and success deserves to be acknowledged. Make sure to continue to show your gratitude by being respectful, timely, and open to advice. Perhaps one day you can even nominate them for a mentorship award! Who knows, the best way to thank your mentor might be turning around and helping the next generation of emerging leaders by becoming a mentor yourself.
—
For Dr. Adrienne Wallace; who is beyond generous with her time and knowledge, and who intentionally steps in as an advocate and mentor for each of her students.
About Jesse
Jesse Schmitt is the current CEO of GrandPR and will be graduating in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising & Public Relations and a minor in Studio Art. Jesse is currently working as a Sales Resource Development Intern with Steelcase Applied Research + Consulting. Jesse is proud to say that this is her third year with GrandPR, and through her position she hopes to continue to make the firm an inclusive, inspiring, and evolving environment for students to come.