The Importance of Mentorship: Empowering the Next Generation

According to a recent report, mentorship is on the rise among America's younger generations. It revealed that about two-thirds of those under the age of 40 have mentors. This is great news when you consider that only about 56% of adults over the age of 40 had mentors.

But there is clearly still room for improvement. When you consider all the mentorship benefits that those with mentors experience, just about everyone who is part of this country's next generation should have a mentor.

By connecting with mentors either through a mentorship program or through their own networking efforts, young people can put themselves on the path to professional development. They can also change their whole career trajectory in some cases.

In this article, we're going to take a deep dive into the importance of mentorship. We'll show how it can help young people with self-development and ultimately lead them down the right roads in life.

Learn all about mentorship and the different ways in which young people can take advantage of it below.

What Is Mentorship?

Before we can begin discussing the importance of mentorship, you'll need to know exactly what it is. Although most people have heard the word "mentorship," they aren't always sure what it is in the context of the professional world.

So, what is mentorship? Well, it's most often a professional relationship between two people. There is a mentor and a mentee.

A mentor is a person who is already established in their professional field to some degree. They will be able to provide a mentee with advice and guidance as they seek to get their feet wet in this same field.

The goal of mentorship will be to have a mentor provide a mentee with everything they'll need to develop in their field and eventually find success on a professional level.

What Makes Mentorship Important?

When college graduates first enter the professional workforce, they're sometimes under the impression that they already know what it'll take to succeed in their field. They will have studied different aspects of this field in school and used what they learned to land the best jobs out of college.

But in reality, very few college graduates are fully prepared for what awaits them in their professional lives. Even if they've been able to secure the best jobs for recent college graduates, they won't always know how to navigate their way through this new world.

This is where mentors can step in and help. Great mentors can put recent college graduates under their wings and teach them what it takes to apply the skills they've learned to their jobs.

Who Is Qualified to Serve as a Mentor?

When you picture a mentor, you might imagine a CEO, an executive, or a manager. But the truth is that just about anyone at a company can be a mentor.

In many cases, a mentor will be someone who has worked within a particular field for a long time. It'll equip them with everything they'll need to teach the next generation the lessons they need to know.

But there are also some instances in which those who are still on the younger side themselves can be mentors. These mentors might actually be able to relate to those who are a part of the next generation better than those who are inching their way closer to retirement age.

Generally speaking, a mentor will be anyone who can impart wisdom on someone who is not yet established within their field. They'll be able to set up the next generation with the tools they'll need to take their careers to the next level.

What Are the Different Types of Mentors?

One thing you should keep in mind when it comes to mentors is that they aren't all created equal. Since just about anyone can become a mentor, there are different types of mentors that'll need to be on your radar.

Each kind of mentor is going to bring something slightly different to the table. Here are some of the most common types of mentors within the professional world.

Peer Mentors

There is nothing wrong with a mentor and a mentee coming from very different backgrounds. In fact, you could argue that this could be beneficial for both a mentor and a mentee because they would each be able to learn from someone who is different from them.

But there is also something to be said for peer mentors. Peer mentors are those people who have similar backgrounds to their mentees. They're able to relate to their mentees better than other types of mentors might be able to.

Because of this, peer mentors are often able to give their mentees very relatable advice and guidance. Mentees are also typically more receptive to peer mentors than they might be otherwise since they know these kinds of mentors were sitting in the same seat they're in right now at some point.

Career Mentors

While some peer mentors are well-established within their fields, many of them will only be a few steps ahead of their mentees. It's a big part of what helps their mentees relate to them so much.

Career mentors, on the other hand, tend to be extremely established within their fields. Oftentimes, they managed to take their careers to heights that their mentees can only dream about.

But this is what makes career mentors so invaluable to their mentees. These mentees usually want to get to the level that their career mentors have reached, and their mentors are able to provide them with a roadmap showing them how to get there.

Reverse Career Mentors

Of all the different types of mentors on this list, reverse career mentors might be among the most interesting mentors of the bunch. These mentors are actually young and sometimes inexperienced professionals who are asked to help mentees who are much older and more experienced than they are.

What makes this arrangement so beneficial to both reverse career mentors and their mentees? Well, reverse career mentors are able to help their mentees develop the digital skills they'll need to continue to thrive within their field. It helps these mentees to stay competitive with those people in their industry who might be much younger and more technologically advanced than they are.

This kind of arrangement can also work out well for reverse career mentors. They'll be responsible for teaching their mentees, but they'll also get the opportunity to pick the brains of those who have been involved in their industry for decades now.

Life Mentors

When recent college graduates enter the workforce, they need to learn about more than just their respective industries. They're also usually making all kinds of big life changes that can have an impact on their professional lives.

For this reason, it isn't uncommon for young people to seek the help of life mentors. These types of mentors can provide the next generation with both the skills and the confidence they'll need to find success in both their personal and professional lives.

In a perfect world, those who are a part of the next generation will be able to locate mentors who can help them work their way through any foreign situations they might face whether at home or at work. They'll be career mentors and life mentors all rolled into one.

What Qualities Should a Mentor Have?

As we alluded to earlier, almost anyone can serve as a mentor if they'd like to do it. If a person enjoys the idea of helping those who are trying to establish themselves within their industry, they're free to offer up their mentorship to them.

However, not everyone can be a successful mentor. To accomplish this goal, a mentor will need to have certain qualities that will allow them to provide a mentee with the assistance they need.

Here are several important qualities that every great mentor should have under their belt.

Experienced

A mentor doesn't necessarily need to have decades and decades of experience to teach a mentee the ropes within their industry. But it will definitely help them to have some experience that they can lean on while they're trying to guide a mentee.

Even if a mentor only has one or two years of experience, that will be more experience than a mentee fresh out of college has. They'll be able to utilize this experience to command the respect of a mentee and to show them the right way to conduct themselves if they'd like to start the professional development process.

Knowledgeable

No matter how much experience a mentor has, they must be knowledgeable within their respective field in order to lead a mentee down the right path. This knowledge is, in many ways, going to be even more important than their experience.

While a mentor's experience will get them the respect of their mentee at the start of their relationship, their knowledge is going to be what will cement it. When a mentee feels as though their mentor knows what they're talking about, they'll be more likely to follow their lead.

The knowledge that a mentor is able to pass down to a mentee is the most valuable thing they can give them. This knowledge might help a mentee develop much quicker than a mentor did. It'll emphasize the overall importance of the mentor/mentee relationship.

Communicative

Not surprisingly, a mentor and a mentee will spend their fair share of time talking, texting, emailing, and communicating in many other ways. As a result, the best mentors need to be excellent communicators on top of everything else.

When a mentor is giving a mentee a lesson, they need to do so in a way that doesn't make it sound like they're being condescending. At the same time, they also have to explain things to a mentee so that it's simple enough to make perfect sense to them.

A mentor has to be good at listening, too. They need to be willing to sit and listen to a mentee talk so that they're able to address any issues they may be having and provide them with the right advice.

The communication between a mentor and a mentee will be of the utmost importance. If a mentor isn't able to communicate clearly with a mentee, their relationship could be doomed from the start.

Patient

There will inevitably be times when a mentee will say or do something that won't sit well with a mentor. The mentee will, of course, still be learning the way things work within their industry, so mistakes like this are bound to happen.

If a mentor is impatient, mistakes might set them off. It's why a mentor needs to be a very patient person who is willing to accept the fact that a mentee is going to make mistakes while they're working with them.

Instead of getting upset with a mentee, a mentor will need to take a step back and find an effective way to turn a mistake into a teachable moment. This kind of patience will pay off in the long run because it'll help a mentee avoid repeating mistakes and enable them to learn how to conduct themselves within their profession.

Open-Minded

When a mentee approaches a mentor with a problem, there is a pretty good chance that the mentor will know how to solve it. They'll be able to lean on their experience and expertise to help them come up with a solution.

But with the world changing as quickly as it does today, there may be times when a mentor doesn't have an immediate solution for a mentee. In these cases, they'll need to be willing to accept that they aren't able to solve a problem on the fly. They'll also need to be open-minded enough to work with their mentee to find a creative solution to the issue they're having.

Empathetic

In recent years, there have been reports written about the "empathy deficit" that exists in this country. So many Americans struggle to put themselves into someone else's shoes in an attempt to understand how they're feeling about certain issues.

Some of the best mentors are the people who are able to be empathetic while working with their mentees. This is at least partly because they've been in their shoes before and know what they're going through.

If a mentor can't fathom what a mentee is dealing with at the start of their career, they might not be able to help them as much as they would like. They need to be able to see where a mentee is coming from when they're explaining an issue they're having so that they can provide them with solid advice.

Honest

In addition to having all the other qualities listed here, a mentor will also need to be an honest person. They'll need to have integrity and the strongest sense of morality possible.

If they don't have these things, they might not be able to provide a mentee with a solid foundation for their professional development. They might teach them things that could actually derail their career as opposed to providing them with a great career trajectory.

What Are the Benefits of Working With a Mentor?

Now that you know what a mentor is, why having a mentor is important, and which qualities a mentor should have, it's time to talk about the benefits that come along with having a mentor in the first place. Mentees can get access to a bunch of benefits when they begin working side-by-side with mentors who they respect.

Here are some of the biggest benefits of working with a mentor.

Building a Better Understanding of a Particular Industry

A mentee can spend hours on end learning about a particular industry while in college. But until they enter this industry and start working in it, they won't ever truly understand what it's all about.

In fact, even after working within an industry for a few years, a mentee might still struggle to fully understand it. It's why it'll help them to have a mentor they can turn to for help.

A mentor can set up a mentee with a better understanding of how an industry works and show them what they'll need to do to be successful in it. A mentee might not be able to experience professional development in a timely fashion without this real-world mentorship.

Developing Skills Within a Specific Role

A mentee will likely enter the workforce with at least a few of the skills they'll need to be successful in the role they're given. But they're usually going to be far from a finished product.

Outside of learning more about the industry in which they'll be working, a mentee will also need to develop certain skills to get ahead within their company. This is another area in which a mentor can help.

A mentor will be able to talk to a mentee about the skills they'll need to develop to be successful. They'll also be able to assess their skills over time to give them some idea of whether or not they're making enough improvements.

Learning How to Overcome Obstacles in a Chosen Field

When a mentee starts working within a field, they should put together a list of their career goals. This is something that a mentor will usually suggest they do so that they're both able to get on the same page about where a mentee would like to take their career in the years to come.

From there, a mentee can start working toward reaching their goals. But there will be obstacles that will pop up along the way and prevent them from getting to certain goals.

First and foremost, a mentor will be there to reassure them that this is perfectly normal. There isn't anyone in history who has ascended up the corporate ladder without facing at least a few obstacles.

A mentor will also use their own experiences to help a mentee face obstacles head-on and overcome them. They can prevent a mentee from falling flat on their face and show them different paths they can take to get to the goals they want to reach.

Getting Opportunities to Network With Successful People

From the moment that a mentee enters the workforce, they're going to need to make networking one of their top priorities. The more people that a mentee is able to meet, the greater the chances of them establishing a strong presence within their field.

The problem, of course, is that networking opportunities can be few and far between for those who are just starting to work in a particular industry. They won't always be able to cross paths with those who can help take their careers to the next level in the future.

Thankfully, this is where a mentor can step in and help introduce a mentee to people they should network with. The relationships that a mentee is able to forge because of these networking opportunities will prove to be worth their weight in gold.

Being Put in a Position to Be Considered for Promotions

Most mentees are going to have to pay their dues when they first get involved in an industry. While a mentor can teach them a lot of things from the start, they won't be able to give them the experience they'll need to make a name for themselves.

But as long as a mentee is able to gain this experience, a mentor can help put them in a position where they'll be considered for more promotions than they might be otherwise. If nothing else, a mentor can make sure the decision-makers within a company know who a mentee is and what they're all about.

There isn't any guarantee that a mentee will actually get promoted quicker simply because of the relationship they have with a mentor. But it also never hurts for a mentee to have a mentor in their corner singing their praises.

Seeing What It Takes to Reach the Top of a Company

The average mentor will do more than just help a mentee find their footing when they're first looking to make their mark within an industry. They'll also still be working to keep their own career moving in the right direction.

By doing this, they'll be able to lead a mentee by example. The simple fact that a mentee can watch their every move and see what it takes for a mentor to move their way up within a company will help them immensely. It's one of the most underrated benefits of mentorship.

What Is the Best Way to Find a Mentor?

After hearing about all the benefits of mentorship, you might be ready to run right out and find yourself a mentor. But before you do, you should know that it isn't always easy for those who are just entering the professional world to locate mentors.

Many companies have started to set up mentorship programs that they use to help their younger employees. But not all companies have come around to doing this just yet.

Because of this, it can be challenging at times for some people to find mentors. Take a look at some of the ways that it can be done here.

Searching for a Mentorship Program

As we just mentioned, there are some companies that have started to notice the mentorship benefits and set up mentorship programs of their own. Those interested in finding mentors should kick things off by checking to see if their companies have these programs established.

If their companies have them, it should make it very simple for these mentees to find the mentors they're looking for. But if they don't have them, those wishing to find mentors should know there are other options.

The Firsthand Mentorship Program is an excellent example of a mentorship program that people might be able to turn to for help with finding a mentor. There are also lots of similar mentorship programs in existence all throughout the country.

Networking With People Within a Field

We've touched on the importance of networking several times now when it comes to getting ahead in a particular field. Networking can also come in handy when someone is in search of a mentor.

Those wishing to find a mentor within their field should be open to the idea of attending networking sessions and other industry-specific events. It could very well lead to them finding the mentors they've been trying to track down.

A person looking for a mentor might not be able to find them at the first networking event they go to. But they can greatly increase their chances of finding someone who checks all the right boxes by getting in front of as many people in their field as they can.

Asking a Professor, a Boss, or Someone Else for Suggestions

If there aren't any mentorship programs in a certain area and networking events aren't leading anywhere, someone who is in search of a mentor might think they're just about out of options. But they can always check in with a professor, a boss, or someone else who knows their industry well to see if they might be able to suggest mentoring possibilities to them.

A professor or boss might not have the time to mentor them. But they could very well know of someone who would be willing to take the time to do it. They might also know of mentorship programs that a person hasn't heard of yet.

Using Social Media to Create Connections

About three-fourths of all Americans use social media in some form or fashion these days. Most people use it to keep in touch with friends and family. But there are also those who utilize it for professional purposes.

Anyone who is having an especially difficult time finding mentorship opportunities should consider using social media to their advantage. They may be able to strike up conversations with those in their field without the pressure of having to do it in person.

And even if things don't go in that direction, it'll still be good for those who are new in a field to meet others who also work in it. This kind of networking didn't always exist, so they should take full advantage of it.

What Qualities Should a Mentee Have?

Earlier, we walked you through the different qualities that a mentor will need to have to assist a mentee during the early days of their career. But it's worth noting that a mentee will also need to have certain qualities to make the most of their relationship with a mentor.

Here are a handful of qualities that a mentee should possess prior to working with a mentor.

Respectful

There are some mentees who will actually pay mentors to help them when they're first entering the workforce. But more often than not, mentors aren't going to receive any financial compensation for the work they put in with a mentee.

With this in mind, a mentee should aim to be as respectful as possible to a mentor. They should respect their time, the energy that they put into their relationship, and all that they've been able to accomplish.

Even though some mentors and mentees will technically be peers, the mentor will always be in a position that should command respect. A mentee should give them this respect to show how thankful they are for the mentorship opportunity.

Goal-Oriented

If a mentee doesn't have clear-cut career goals in mind, they might end up wasting their time and their mentor's time. It's going to be difficult for a mentor to steer a mentee in the right direction if they aren't sure which direction they're supposed to be going in.

It'll be important for a mentee to come up with a list of goals before they meet with a mentor for the first time. These goals will help show a mentor that a mentee is serious about making advancements in their career.

Determined

It's one thing for a mentee to generate a list of career goals. But in order to get to these goals, they're going to need to demonstrate an unmatched determination.

Even with a mentor by their side, there is no guarantee that a mentee will make it to their goals if they aren't all-in on trying to reach them. It'll be imperative that they have the drive it's going to take to use what they learn from their mentor to inch their way closer to their goals each day.

Flexible

A good mentor will help a mentee come up with a plan for getting to their goals. But this plan might not always lead them down the right path and help them achieve their goals.

In the event that obstacles get in their way and derail them, a mentee will need to be flexible enough to switch up their approach to getting to their goals on the fly. They'll also need to be ready, willing, and able to work with their mentor to come up with a new plan that'll get them back on the right track.

Self-Aware

When a person is a mentee, they'll need to be okay with the idea of accepting constructive criticism and using it to their benefit. But not everyone who takes part in a mentorship is prepared to do this. Some people simply aren't self-aware enough to accept the fact that they might not be making the best career choices when they first start out in a new field.

A mentee needs to be able to take responsibility for their shortcomings and learn from them. It'll be the only way that a mentor and mentee can coexist and both benefit from their mentorship.

How Long Should a Mentee Keep a Mentor?

At this point, the importance of mentorship should be crystal clear to you. You should know just how important a mentor can be to a mentee when they're launching their career in a new field.

But at the same time, you might be wondering how long a mentee will need to keep a mentor around. It's something that a lot of people think about when they're first taking part in a mentorship.

There isn't, however, a definitive answer to this. When people sign up for mentorship programs, they'll typically work with a mentor for somewhere between 6 to 12 months. A program like this will be designed to help mentees get the hang of working within an industry before they start navigating this world on their own.

With that being said, there are also mentors and mentees who spend a lot more time than that working together. As long as a mentor is up for the challenge, some mentees will keep in touch with them for almost their entire careers.

Not every mentor and mentee will share a mentorship like this. But there is nothing wrong with two people in the same field sharing a bond that stays strong for years to come. Some mentors and mentees will even find that they'll get to the point where they consider one another to be friends before everything is all said and done.

How Can a Mentee Show Appreciation to a Mentor?

Whether a mentor and mentee only work together for 6 months or spend years building a working relationship that transforms into friendship, a mentee should always go out of their way to show their appreciation to a mentor.

The average mentor isn't going to be compensated for helping a mentee. So a mentee should do what they can to show a mentor how thankful they are for their time and energy.

They can do this in many ways. Here are just a few suggestions:

• -Picking up the tab during working lunches, dinners, etc.
• -Writing quick thank you emails, notes, etc. after mentorship meetings
• -Letting a mentor know about any big professional developments
• -Telling higher-ups at a company about the mentorship they've received from a mentor
•  

As a mentee gains more experience within their industry, they also might want to kick around the idea of becoming a mentor themselves. This will be a great way for them to take everything a mentor taught them and pass it down to the next generation.

Do You Need to Have a Mentor to Be Successful?

There are surely some very successful people out there who have managed to reach the top of their industries without much help in terms of mentorship. 'Shark Tank' star Lori Greiner, for example, has been very vocal about how she was able to succeed without a mentor.

But the number of people who have achieved her level of success without mentors are few and far between. Someone like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has long credited his mentor Steve Jobs with helping to propel him to success. Bill Gates has done the same with his mentor Warren Buffett.

This isn't to say that Zuckerberg and Gates wouldn't have gotten to where they eventually got without mentors. But it does show that even some of the most successful people in U.S. history have needed mentors in their corners to help bring them along.

This suggests yet again that mentorship is every bit as important as people think it is. It's constantly helping to empower the next generation. And even though the meaning of mentorship continues to evolve, it'll be important for each generation to take advantage of it.

The Importance of Mentorship Simply Cannot Be Overstated

Are you a recent college graduate who just started your first job? Or are you still in college but looking to lay down a strong foundation for the career you'll be starting soon?

Either way, you should keep the importance of mentorship in the back of your mind as you set out to make a splash in your chosen field. Finding the right mentor could help you get your career off to a great start and put you in a position to enjoy success all throughout it.

Read more informative articles about mentorship by browsing through the rest of the Honor Society blog.