How to make mentorship work for you
Since women and people of colour tend to face more obstacles and discrimination in the workplace than other groups, seeking a Black mentor can help you navigate these unfamilar and sometimes unfriendly waters.
Having a mentor can also be a powerful tool for professional development. It’s one of the main reasons why we created NOIR Professionals – to connect established Black professionals with the next generation so that our community can continue to flourish.
However, since mentorships are usually an informal relationship, it can be tricky to establish and maintain one professionally.
So we thought we’d share some tips to help you make the most out of your mentorship!
Know your short and long-term goals.
Firstly, it’s difficult to seek out the right mentor if you don’t know what you want to accomplish professionally! So take a step back to look at the big picture and ask yourself where you see yourself in the next 6 or 12 months. Get as specific as possible with your goals by using the SMART method – make sure that your targets are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound. Breaking down your dreams this way allows you to turn your vision into reality with individual goals you can accomplish through short-term steps.
Remember that mentorship is a two-way street.
We’re here to help match you with the right mentor, but keep in mind as the mentee, you must also manage your expectations to make the relationship work. Don’t assume having a mentor is a shortcut to success and begin asking them for a career roadmap, their industry contacts, or a referral! That will certainly leave a bad impression and possibly end your relationship. After all, most mentors sign up to share their professional wisdom for the chance to shape the leaders of tomorrow, while gaining new perspectives from their mentee. So make sure you consider the ways you can add value to your mentor’s professional life, too!
Communication is key.
As the mentee, you must actively work to communicate with your mentor and be upfront about your goals, how long the mentorship should last (based on your goals), and how often you should meet. Opening the discussion allows your mentor to better understand how to help you and will make the most of your time together. As well, take the initiative to set the agenda prior to every meeting (ie. pick a topic to discuss or work on), take notes so you can follow up later, and be open to both positive and negative feedback.
Maintain your relationship beyond mentorship.
At the end of your formal mentorship period, you and your mentor may decide to keep in touch and check in periodically and/or informally going forward. If it was a great mentorship experience, being in the loop of your mentor’s professional life is good practice, like staying in touch with a colleague who has moved away. If your mentor has professional or business-related social media accounts, you can follow them there. You can also sign up for their newsletters or visit their website occasionally to see what they’re up to. This way, when you email them down the road to share news of your success or to ask for their advice, you can mention their new ventures to show you’re still invested in them on a personal and professional level.
We hope these tips can set you up for success when it comes to establishing a healthy mentor relationship! However, keep in mind not all mentorships are made equal. You can follow these steps to a tee and still encounter some trial and error. It’s nothing to be worried about – just keep your goals in check and your mind open, and soon you’ll find the right mentor for you!
