Why Mentorship is Your Next Best Career Move

🦉 Why Mentorship is Your Next Best Career Move

Why Mentorship Matters

If you've climbed the ladder of success, it's likely you didn't do it alone. Mentorship plays a pivotal role in career development, and the benefits are mutual. New studies reveal that mentorship not only elevates your career but also enriches your life, boosting your self-esteem and overall well-being.

The Data Speaks

Recent surveys by Gallup and Amazon show that individuals with mentors are more likely to find their careers rewarding, feel more established, and earn a satisfactory income. Moreover, mentorship has a notable influence in steering people, especially women, toward STEM careers. Here are some quick stats:

• Only 37% of professionals have a mentor (Source)

• And 63% of women have never had a formal mentor (Source)

• 89% of those who have been mentored will also go on to mentor others (Source)

• 25% of employees who enrolled in a mentoring program had a salary-grade change, compared to only 5% of workers who did not participate (Source)

• Mentees are promoted 5 times more often than those without mentors (Source)

• And mentors themselves are 6 times more likely to be promoted (Source)

Key Types of Mentorship

At a high level, there are two categories of mentorship: formal and informal. For our purposes, we’ll focus on formal as informal mentorships tend to happen more organically.

1. One-on-One Mentoring: Traditional model where an experienced mentor guides a mentee in areas like career or leadership. Benefits both parties by building long-term relationships.

2. Peer Mentoring: Partners of similar job levels or age mentor each other. Useful for onboarding or supporting new parents.

3. Group Mentoring: One mentor guides multiple mentees. Efficient for organizations with limited mentors and fosters teamwork.

4. Reverse Mentoring: Junior employees mentor seniors, often to bridge skill gaps like digital technology or diversity.

5. Flash Mentoring: Quick, one-time sessions for specific learning goals. Acts as a trial for potential long-term mentorships.

6. Team Mentoring: Multiple mentors guide a group of mentees, often for a shared project. Promotes diversity and inclusion.

7. Virtual Mentoring: Remote mentoring via apps and software. Inclusive and adaptable to modern work environments.

Six Strategies for Effective Mentorship

1. Be Proactive: One of the most impactful steps you can take is to actively seek opportunities to mentor others.

2. Find Common Ground: Mentorship is most effective when there's a shared experience or background. This creates a deeper connection and makes your guidance more resonant.

3. Share Wisely: Your wisdom is valuable, but the way you share it matters. Be humble and realistic in your advice, as it makes you more relatable and trustworthy.

4. Empower and Celebrate: Make your mentees feel valued and capable. Listen attentively and encourage their ideas, fostering a sense of self-belief.

5. Be Detailed in Guidance: Specific advice is often more actionable. Whether it's career choices or life lessons, be precise in what you recommend.

6. Integrate Mentorship into Your Profession: Whether it's through job shadowing, internships, or regular work, make mentorship a part of your daily professional life.

The Reward of Giving

Mentoring is not a one-way street. As you invest in the next generation, you'll find that the returns are not just societal but also personal. Engaging in meaningful mentorship can make you feel more fulfilled and even give you the sense that you have more time to spare.

Further Reading

• Mentorship: What it is and How to Form One - Radhika Paliwal

• The Benefits of Mentorship for Your Professional Development - BetterUp

To find a mentor, you can start by using some of the tools below!

🛠️ Mentorship Tools

Plato

www.platohq.com

Plato is a Community for Engineering Leaders. Engage in 1-on-1 Mentorship, Benefit from Cohort-Based Learning, and Access Exclusive Content.

ADP List

www.adplist.org

If you’re looking for advice, jamming or networking - ADPList lets you freely schedule a 1:1 mentorship session in fun new ways and work with them directly.

Offboard Tool Directory

offboard.co/tool-directory

Check out the Offboard’s Tool Directory for more platforms to give you an edge in a competitive market!

📉 Notable Layoffs this Week

• The Washington Post is hoping to reduce its workforce by 240 employees through buyouts after struggling to grow subscriptions, according to The New York Times.

• Freight forwarder Flexport is preparing to lay off 30% of its employees in order to "shore up" its finances, The Wall Street Journal writes.

• Sendoso, a gifting startup boasting investors like SoftBank, is beginning its fourth round of layoffs in 16 months. It's unclear how many employees are affected, Insider reports.

📰 Notable Headlines this Week

• As AI continues to grow, a typical 4-year degree might not be enough, experts predict [link]

• Us employees spend $51.00 daily when they work full time in office. More if you require pet care. [link]

Curious if your company has a layoff planned?

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