Why a Mentor is a Must, and How to Get One

Do you have a mentor?

I’m sure you’ve heard the word more than once especially if you’re in corporate America. For me, mentors provide so many benefits in and out of the office. They serve as a sounding board, an advisor, an advocate and so much more!

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When I started my post-college career, I was working at a large real estate firm in a support role and honestly, it wasn’t the best for me. There, I met my first mentor who noticed something in me and we connected immediately. After a few lunch outings, I expressed my concern with my career path and he immediately started advocating for me in and out of the company. He offered more challenging work in the office and also set up meetings with his network where I could explore different industries and hopefully find a stronger career path. Spoiler alert, it worked!

Mentors are essentially priceless and offer a benefit that’s unmatched but how do you get one? I’m sharing 5 easy ways on how you can get a mentor (or more!) PLUS, a simple e-mail template to use after you make your initial connection!

1. Start within your company – I think it’s important to have at least 2 mentors. One within your company and the other outside of it. For internal mentors, look a few levels above your role and start from there. I say a few levels so you can ensure they’ve had a good amount of experience within the industry you’re in. See someone repeatedly on your e-mail threads? Ask them to lunch or coffee. Someone you consistently pass in the office but only wave to, next time, introduce yourself. Most people are welcoming to making new business connections so don’t be afraid to be a bit bold! Fun Fact: Both of my mentors and I bonded over, you guessed it, fashion!
2. Tap your network’s network – Think about your friends and neighbors or even people who might have watched you grow up. When I first started working at my current company, I shared that with a good neighborhood friend and he gave me a list of 5 people who already worked within the company. That was extremely helpful when I started my career since it helped me make some early and easy connections through a mutual friend.
3. Attend networking events or industry meet-ups – If you’re looking for something a bit more formal, check out events specifically designed for networking and mentoring. Living in Chicago allows for there to be at least 5 events a day especially during the summer. Be on the lookout for industry meet-ups, panel discussions, and social events in your area and start there. After the event, determine who you connected with and would like to get to know more and reach out!
4. LinkedIn, duh! – LinkedIn is a goldmine for finding a mentor. All of those connections made can flourish into something amazing. Think about an old college professor or maybe even someone a few grades above you from school who are doing well in their career. Mention that you admire them and their work and go from there. When meeting in person, I like to share a business problem I’m having and see if they have any advice, it’s a great way to see an outside perspective and better understand their how they manage their business.
5. Think up and out – Lastly, Some people tend to think that in order to be a mentor, you have to be well into your career. In today’s day and age, that’s just not the case! Peer mentoring is alive and well, and just as beneficial. Having someone at a similar level in their career allows you to share in your experiences together. Plus, the best part about peer mentoring is you both have things to offer!

I honestly believe that mentors are one of the best things a professional can have in their career. They are such a great source of knowledge and guidance that it should be impossible to pass one up! Below, I’ve made a quick template you can use for an introduction for your soon to be mentor!

Hi (Insert Professional Idol Here),

My name is (insert) and we recently met at the/through (insert event or person). I really admire/appreciated/was inspired by your (presentation, panel discussion, etc) that you presented/participated in, last week. Your insight/advice was able to help me (insert how it helped you in some way). I’m currently in the (insert business field or university studies) and hoping to continue to gain more knowledge and experience as I move through the industry. I would love to meet with you to further discuss your role, career path, as well as your thoughts on (relevant topic).

Would you be able to meet for coffee or lunch next week? I am free Tuesday and Thursday morning as well as Friday during lunch.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to speaking with you soon!

Your Name

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