Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month? According to MENTOR National, “National Mentoring Month focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us…can work together to increase the number of mentors to help ensure positive outcomes for our young people.” Mentorship is a powerful tool for people of all ages, though, and has been shown to be particularly influential for women. As this month comes to a close, it’s important to be reminded of the benefits of mentorship and to consider how we can help ourselves and others by entering a mentor or mentee role this year.
For most of us, the first setting that comes to mind when we think of mentorship is the workplace. Mentorship in the workplace can be very helpful for young professionals, as it can give the mentee a more experienced person to look up to and rely on for career-related questions and advice. Some companies have mentorship programs in place to kickstart the professional development of their young employees, but these opportunities vary, as only about half of companies have formal mentorship programs in place. Regardless of whether a mentoring relationship starts through a structured program or individual connection, though, having a mentor has been tied to greater confidence, job satisfaction, and likelihood to later mentor someone else.
These benefits are particularly important for women, as mentorship is a potentially powerful solution to the persisting gender inequity in business. For example, the percentage of female CEOs of Fortune 500 companies is still only 6%, and the percentage of women in senior management positions is 29%. However, instilling confidence, leadership, and camaraderie through a culture of mentorship is key to developing more female leaders and, ultimately, changing these numbers. Since many organizations do not have formal mentorship programs, though, it’s important to look beyond company opportunities. Most professionals are happy to share their experience and advice with mentees, so don’t be afraid to seek a mentor independently. This type of career guidance might come from someone in a higher position at your company, someone who used to work in a role you are interested in, or a more experienced acquaintance at another company. A professional mentor can come from many sources – what is most important is to seek this connection and to not be afraid to ask for help.
But is mentorship only an opportunity for young professionals? Although the most common reason for mentorship is career development, a mentor can be valuable in many contexts outside the workplace. The answer lies in the power of informal mentorship. While a formal mentoring relationship has more structured goals and time commitments and is often initiated by a company program, informal mentorship is more personalized and benefits women of varying ages and paths in life. Maybe you’re starting your freshman year of high school and need guidance from an older friend on navigating your new school. Maybe you’re about to graduate college and could use insight from a successful alumna in your future industry. Maybe you’re a new mom seeking the advice of mothers with older children. Any of these situations would be a perfect opportunity to develop an informal mentoring relationship.
Informal mentorship is distinguished by more than its applications beyond the workplace, though. One of the unique aspects of having an informal mentor is that this person can serve as a friend, as well. While a formal mentor might only advise on career opportunities, an informal mentor can play a broader role by providing guidance on balancing responsibilities, supporting you in difficult decisions, and acting as a role model. Informal mentorship can also be tailored more closely to both the mentor and mentee’s needs, as a common hesitancy in starting a formal mentoring relationship is the time commitment required. Seeking an informal mentor, however, allows communication on a flexible, as-needed basis, often leading to more sustainable long-term relationships.
National Mentoring Month is a powerful reminder in the early stages of this year of the benefits we can derive from a culture of mentorship. Women supporting each other in all areas of life, both inside and outside the workplace, helps build confidence that can set women up for success in any path they choose. While it’s common to think of mentorship within the narrow definition of a knowledgeable professional guiding a young employee, the truth is that you’re never too old to receive advice or too young to give advice. What matters is seeking support as a mentee when you need it and, in turn, offering your experience when you have the ability. You don’t need a schedule, structure, or professional setting to benefit from a mentor – all you need is someone who can say, “I’ve been where you are, and I want to help you get where you want to go.”
Sources:
https://www.mentoring.org/campaigns/national-mentoring-month/
https://journalofleadershiped.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/4_1_Inzer_Crawford.pdf
https://www.guider-ai.com/blog/mentoring-statistics-the-research-you-need-to-know
https://www.guider-ai.com/blog/how-mentoring-empowers-women-in-their-careers