Upon starting out on a new career venture, it can be difficult to know which way to turn to reach your goals. If you have recently graduated and about to embark on a whole new career path, you may be left wondering how to get started. A career mentor almost acts as a friend in this case – they are someone you can rely on to help you meet your goals and provide professional advice to push your career forwards.
In this guide, we’re going to provide just a few reasons as to why you should consider getting a mentor to push your career in the right direction:
1. Help you realise your potential
When first starting out in a new career, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to recognise your full potential. However, a mentor will help you understand where your skills, talents and qualities lie and which career path may be best suited to you. A career mentor is also someone you can go to whenever you need some direction on where to go next, if you feel as though you’re stuck in a dead-end role.
2. Match your personality to your ideal career
It is extremely important for your own mental health to choose a career that closely aligns with your personality type. There’s nothing worse than going into a job you despise and most of the time, this is all based on your personal traits. If for example, you are working in a busy, public-facing environment, but you class yourself as an introvert, you’re likely to finish the day feeling stressed, anxious and burnt-out. The bottom line is, that there is a suitable career for everyone. Talking with your mentor about what you’re looking for in a role will help narrow down the search and find the most suitable career for you.
3. Connections
In the early days of your career, it’s unlikely you’ll have a vast network to turn to when you require help and advice. A career mentor, however, will be your saviour in this respect. They’re likely to give you information based on their own professional experiences – and if they don’t have the answer, they may be able to refer to their own contacts. You may also find that they introduce you to their links that work in your desired industry, which may open doors for you.
4. Improve your communication skills
If you have never had a job role before, you may not be aware of how to communicate on a professional level. As a result, you may be nervous about how to present yourself during interviews and what may be expected of you in the workplace. Having a career mentor will force you to communicate professionally and help you prepare for the big wide world of work.
Finding a mentor could be one of the best decisions you ever make concerning your career progression. You’ll find the professional relationship to be an extremely gratifying experience and will ultimately give you the push needed to achieve your key milestones.
