Balancing classes, a part-time job, an internship, homework and social activities can be tough. So when the topic of finding a mentor comes up, many collegiettes shrug off the idea because there just aren't enough hours in the day.
While having a mentor won't make-or-break your chance at career success, having a good mentor can be extremely helpful when you're looking for career advice, job opportunities or even just a role model who's already succeeded at something you'd like to do. If you've never had a mentor, you probably have a million of questions. Never fear, collegiettes! HC has gathered some helpful insights to help you find the perfect mentor.
How can a mentor help me? It's best to be very specific about your goals when looking for a mentor. Do you want to find somebody to help you get your foot in the door in the accounting industry? Or maybe you're looking for somebody to help you with your resume and cover letters? Giving your mentor a detailed description of what you would like them to help you with is often the best method of handling this type of relationship.
Where can I find a mentor? Often, the most difficult aspect of mentorships is finding a mentor who's right for you. In college, however, there are numerous resources students can use to find a mentor including current or former professors, bosses and supervisors from jobs or internships, school-organized mentorship programs (where you can apply to be placed with a specific mentor, ask your academic advisers if your school has one!), on- and off-campus professional organizations and alumni databases.
How can I ask somebody to be my mentor? Depending on the situation, you may not be comfortable simply calling somebody and asking, "Will you be my mentor?" A better way to feel out the situation is to ask the person for advice -- on formatting your resume for example. By asking her a few questions, you can determine if you find her helpful and want her assistance to be an ongoing relationship.
The most important aspect of finding a mentor is making sure the person has time for you. If he or she is simply too busy, it won't be a beneficial relationship for you or the mentor.
To read advice from the experts, as well as firsthand accounts from collegiettes who know how to be a great mentee, check out the full article at Her Campus. To read more from Her Campus, including how to network in general, click here.