We’ve all heard that we need a mentor, but what does that really mean and why is it so hard to find a mentor as a student? Seriously, universities are teeming with capable professors eager to help students, yet a professional relationship with a mentor seems elusive.Â
So, why do you need to find a mentor as a student?
Mentors are individuals that you can look up to and talk with openly about your own plans for the present and future. Since they’ve been in your shoes before and have since launched a successful career, they should have advice you can trust. It’s not sufficient to just find the most successful person you can and ask them to be your mentor. They have to be someone who can hold a conversation and is willing to hear about your interests and give you advice.Â
How to find a mentor as a student:
Advising
If your school has assigned you an academic advisor, that’s a great start! If you feel as though they’re a good match for your interests, then they may be a good potential mentor. If your advisor was randomly assigned and you don’t think they’re a good fit, then ask them if they might know of anyone they might know who might be a good fit. They will likely know many other professionals that could serve as a mentor for you and your interests and needs.
Mentorship through Clubs on Campus
Some clubs will host mentorship meet-up sessions. For example, if you’re interested in a STEM related career and are looking for a woman mentor, check in with a women in STEM club on campus to see if they match students with mentors.
Mentors can also be found in religious organizations on campus. Keep in mind that a mentor doesn’t have to necessarily be in the field you’d like to be in. You’re looking for someone who can give you guidance towards achieving your goals whether those are career goals or otherwise.
Research Mentorship
If you’re interested in research, joining a lab either over the semester or the summer is a great way to find a mentor in the field you’re interested in. The people you’d be interacting with will have likely taken a path that might be similar to your plan. They’d be a great starting point to ask questions and as you get to know each other more, ask for a mentorship relationship.
Internship
Taking on a summer internship is a great way to find a mentor as a student in the field you’re interested. Many internship programs also have a mentorship component. This is super helpful because it means those people chose to be mentors. They want to help you and they likely have experience helping other students too!
Shadow Someone in your Field
Shadowing is an absolute great way to see if a career is for you. It’s also a great way to find a mentor as a student! The person will have already observed your interest in the field. By shadowing them, you’re able to ask them questions and build a professional relationship that can grow into a mentorship relationship.
Networking Event
If you are unable to find someone in the area you’re interested in, look into networking events. Your university or town may host these and will likely post them on a calendar or email. It’s not enough to just get a few business cards. You have to follow up by email and ask relevant questions. Over time, as you grow your professional relationship, you can ask them if they’d be willing to be a mentor for you. Start by asking for only thirty minutes to an hour to talk over the phone or in person per month. This may change, but it’s a short amount of time to ask for at first, so they’re more likely to have time available.
If you think about it, LinkedIn works very similarly to networking events. You will have to cold-email or cold-message people. However, if you show genuine interest in their career, they will likely get back to you. Once you find a mentor as a student on LinkedIn, work on developing your professional relationship by emailing them questions every few weeks. Ask if they’d be willing to meet with you in person or over the phone to grow your relationship. Then, you can ask if they’d be willing to be your mentor. Again, ask to meet only for thirty minutes to an hour per month at first. You can increase this as you grow the professional relationship.Â
These tips will help you find a mentor as a student! Let me know in the comments if you have a mentor or if these tips were helpful. I wish you all the very best of luck on growing your professional and mentorship relationships!Â
