In our previous blog, how university students could get guidance from industry to improve their career prospects-PART1, we explored the reasons why it is of vital importance for any student to develop professional relationships with any expert. We explored that to maintain this relationship, the student needs to communicate their goals, listen to the ideas of the Mentor and do not keep expectations. We finally explored how Micro-mentoring can be beneficial in establishing these relationships. Today we explore how can we maintain those Micromentoring relationships. We also explore some examples of famous people who credit their teachers/mentors even today, to assert the importance of the article.
According to the Forbes article on Mentoring Matters,
A mentoring relationship must be managed and nurtured. It is a joint venture that requires both parties to actively attend to its care and feeding. The chances of creating and sustaining a successful mentoring relationship are enhanced by adopting a few simple best practices.
A recent survey of graduate students at UNL revealed that
those who had developed mentoring relationships with faculty members were more likely to:
receive financial support for their graduate studies in the form of assistantships, scholarships, or fellowships
exhibit greater productivity in research activity, conference presentations, pre-doctoral publications, instructional development, and grant writing.
experience a higher degree of success in persisting in graduate school, achieving a shorter time to degree, and performing better in academic coursework.
(Bellows and Perry, 2005)
Therefore, only creating such relationships will not help, one needs to maintain it and follow up properly. That will accelerate the process of getting guidance from the micro-mentor. So let us explore some ways to maintain relationships and keep getting guidance from the mentors.
1. Learn a skill together: Let us look at an example. The six-sigma black belt certification requires a trainee who wants to learn the course and a trainer, who requires to demonstrate that they have trained someone to receive a master-black belt certification. If a mentee wants to receive the black belt certification and the mentor is a master black belt, it is a win-win situation for both. Therefore, they can work together. Such relationships are mutually beneficial and therefore, symbiotic. Hence learning this skill with a mentor would help the student not only improve their skillset but a chance to maintain their relationship.
2. Events & networking opportunities: Perhaps, this can be the right time for the student to explore the mentor's networks. The student has already established a good rapport and shares certain common interests with the mentor. The mentor can point or inform the mentee about various events that they feel can be beneficial for the mentee's career. Attending events can help the mentor imbibe soft skills to the students for them to understand the world together. The mentor can also possibly make introductions for the mentee if the former sees great potential and fit.
3. Reflect together: The reflection is of utmost importance to any relationship. This often helps us develop top-notch insights. A mentee could take advantage of this time and probe the mentor further for their feedback and recommendation at this stage. It could be on any topic, experience or leaning. However, what is most important is for the mentor and the mentee to book a time slot, sit down, analyze the situation and discover insights. Such a session can be beneficial for the mentor as they get exposure to new situations, new solutions and new findings from the same.
Maintaining relationships is important if you wish to have success in life. Here is a very famous example:
Former Apple Inc.CEO the late Steve Jobs served as a mentor to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The two developed a relationship in the early days of Facebook and often met to discuss the best business and management practices for the company. When Jobs passed away in the fall of 2011, Zuckerberg posted on his Facebook page, “Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.”
Just imagine if you could have the opportunity to become the next Mark Zuckerberg and can be guided by an expert in your own domain! How wonderful will it be to have someone to guide you on your next professional venture? Yes, such dreams can come true. All you need to do is explore outside the boundaries of your university, organisation and peer group. This is exactly where Headstrt shines by opening the doors for you to discover & partner with some of the best at your situation or field.
We at Headstrt, have created an Expert Economy platform. We can introduce you to the mentors of your desire and help organising sessions that can maintain your relationships with them to make those sustainable. In the final segment (PART 3) of this series, we explore the ways in which you can develop lasting relationships with your mentors. Till then, we would love to hear from you! Come join our platform today to know more.
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