ChickSpeak

Finding a mentor is not always as easy as it appears to be. As children, we look to our teachers, parents, and trusted relatives for guidance and support. We might remember asking our mothers to mend a torn sleeve, a request which transforms in minutes into a whole lesson on how to sew, different ways to stitch, and how to safely thread a needle. In the classroom, we may recall pointing at the colorful posters plastered against the walls, wondering what the strange shapes and formulas might mean. Questions like, “How do I write this essay?” or “How do I approach this problem?” were commonplace in elementary school and perhaps even in college.

Given that the vast majority of individuals have spent nearly their entire lives being guided in some way or another by role models working within their respective fields of expertise, is it really such a surprise when in the professional world, too, the mentor again emerges as an important, if not necessary, tool to your success?  

Having a good mentor may mean reaching your goals faster and more efficiently. The mentee is essentially the one who determines what the mentor does, how long the relationship will last, and how frequently the two will meet.

Monique J. Fortuné, President of Fortuné and Associates, works in public speaking, media, and business communication strategies. As a radio specialist, Ms. Fortuné has held positions as the Marketing Director of Fordham University’s public radio station WFUV-FM and as the Radio Curator for The Museum of Television and Radio.

When asked how difficult it is to find a mentor, she says, “If you want a good and progressive mentor relationship, you must work at it. I believe that you must honor your instincts, intuition, and your logic when you are looking for a mentor. The balance of head and heart is essential. Ask yourself: What type of mentor do I need?”  

“I have different mentors for different needs,” Ms. Fortuné adds. “I have a financial mentor. I have a legal mentor. You might need a nurturing mentor in order to gain assistance with building your self-confidence. You might need a more hard-line and no-nonsense mentor, if you need help with your financial planning.”  

Because finding a mentor not only involves taking the initiative to ask but also organizing an entire plan that details what the mentor is and is not responsible for, every step requires a well thought-out strategy. Ms. Fortuné suggests taking the following steps, “Do your homework. Research your potential mentor. You can ask someone to be your mentor after you have observed this person in his or her chosen profession. Don’t be pushy. Introduce yourself via e-mail and just simple write, ‘I have admired your career path. Can we get together for breakfast or after-work drinks and talk about you being my mentor?’ Take your time. The mentor relationship should not be taken lightly.”

Above all, Ms. Fortuné advises mentees to “be yourself. Bring honesty and integrity to the relationship. Be vulnerable enough to ask for help. A final tip, ask your mentor if you can do volunteer work together. When you do volunteer work with your mentor, you get to know him or her on a completely different level and your bond will strengthen. The mentorship is not about you. It is about cultivating personal relationships that are mutually beneficial.”  

An article by Louis Whitehead states, “Like all worthwhile pursuits, finding a mentor takes some work and even involves some risk. You’ll find, though, that the benefits that you can reap from a relationship with a good mentor will be well worth the effort you put into your search.” There is always the possibility that you will be rejected by your prospective mentor. If this should happen, be patient and take advantage of the hundreds of resources available online, such as YourMentoring, MicroMentor, and iMantri, which offer professional mentoring services for a fee. 

Given everything that you can do to find a mentor, what is still the most important part of this process is keeping an open mind and even thinking about people who have served in a mentor-like capacity for you in the past. Ask for referrals, but use your talent and experience to find the lucky individual who will best suit your needs.  

Katherine J. Chen is an English major at Princeton University with a certificate in Creative Writing. She has yet to find a mentor of her own, but feels that when the time comes, her mentor in shining armor will appear!