As we covered in last week's newsletter, there are many values when it comes to having a mentor. However, you may be asking yourself, "How do I find a mentor?" Read below for some tips from the Business Career Center on how to seek out a mentor.
1. The first step to finding a mentor is narrowing down what you are passionate about and what you want to get out of having a mentor.
Reflect on what you hope to gain from a mentor. Is there a specific career you want to learn more about? Are you seeking advice on taking the next step in your career? Do you want to learn a particular skill from an experienced professional? Write down a few short term goals and think about who would be able to help you achieve these goals.
2. Now that you have an idea of what kind of person to look for, the next step is to begin networking.
There are many different places to find a mentor. Networking sites such as Husker Connect (https://huskerconnect.unl.edu/) offer you the resources to choose a field of interest and provide you with professionals looking to make an impact on your career development. You can also check your current network on LinkedIn. There may be someone you never thought of before who would be the right fit. Don't forget about the alumni tool on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s LinkedIn page and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Alumni group.
Professors are also a great tool for finding the perfect mentor. Try attending your professor's office hours and let them know you are looking for a mentor. They can often recommend several potential mentors that fit your goals.
There are many Registered Student Organizations that invite guest speakers to their meetings and offer mentorship programs. View UNL's Registered Student Organizations (https://unl.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations) or the College of Business Registered Student Organization list (https://business.unl.edu/current-students/student-organizations/) to get involved on-campus. Being involved on campus can lead you to your next mentor.
3. Now that you have chosen the potential mentor right for you, you must make the first step in initiating contact with them.
Request a meeting with the potential mentor. Ask them their preferred mode to meet (phone call, video, in-person, etc.) and see if they are willing to chat. Be clear and specific about your goals and what you are looking to get out of having a mentor. If you both decide to continue a mentor-mentee relationship, be sure to check in with them often, at least once a month. Mentoring relationships can have a set end date, such as 3-6 months after the initial meeting, or may be ongoing.
If you want to learn more about having a mentor or ways you can access one, click the link below to schedule an appointment with a career coach: https://business.unl.edu/current-students/business-career-center/.