How to Become a Mentor

Starting a new career typically means obtaining the right qualifications. One of the best things about being a mentor is that you can be one in different backgrounds and areas of your own previous work experience. To know how to start a mentorship is to have a grasp on your own personal growth and professional development within your sector.

Once you know where and how you can help others, it is important that you engage in mentor training through online certificates or short courses before engaging in any mentoring programmes. Taking an online learning development course can equip you with the skills you need to help others develop their own skills further.

Ask yourself a variety of questions before completing the application process for any training or programmes. These can centre on time commitment, age of mentee, whether you prefer working with a group or individual persons, and most importantly, what you would actually like to be a mentor in.

When you have a good idea of what you would like to specialise in, taking dedicated courses that suit your specialism is a good next step. 

Being a great mentor does not happen straight away. It takes time and experience of working within your own field of expertise and helping others to achieve their full potential. There are many organisations out there offering mentor training and support when you need it. 

When you mentor for the first time, it will be an overwhelming experience. Consider starting a mentorship with an experienced mentor, or purely reach out to the best mentors on LinkedIn and ask for any advice and tips on how to be a good mentor.

Working as a mentor is a pretty big deal as the quality of your work affects your clients’ life success and satisfaction. With that in mind, here are some key qualities of a mentor:

So, what is the role of a mentor? A mentor believes in their mentee, both personally and professionally. 

Every mentoring relationship will require a different level of time commitment and dedication in order to ensure the mentee has reached their full potential. As a mentor, you would advise, encourage, help, and commit to improving one’s self-esteem and professional or personal goals, as well as being a positive role model for them.

Sometimes, you may have a specific goal set in mind, whereas other times, you may be expected to give general feedback and career advice that allows them to move forward. You’re likely to work with a wide range of different employees, from young starters taking on their first professional role to people who are looking to learn new skills towards the end of their career. 

Having a solid knowledge of good business practices and people management can be helpful. Taking on courses in Business Management can allow you to move forward effectively in your career.

Though people often perceive mentors as merely telling their mentees what to do, that actually couldn’t be further from the truth. Mentors need to utilise all their skills in:

So, what sort of mentor jobs are out there? Being a mentor does not have to be a full-time job. A mentoring relationship can occur at any workplace with members of staff or even at university. 

There are options to pursue mentoring as a full-time career path, with one of the most popular choices being a career coach/mentor. There are also many opportunities within the voluntary sector to help a variety of young people who are struggling with their personal growth and development.

Ultimately, the choice is yours when deciding how far you wish to take mentoring as a career option and what you choose to do with it.