What does it take to be successful? In my experience, I'd prioritize tenacity, passion, decisiveness, creativity and integrity.
That being said, I think one of the greatest choices anyone can make in pursuing personal success is to be mentored by someone who’s doing what you want to do. Who’s being what you want to be.
I’ve had a number of really good mentors. The first being my mother.
As a young girl I’d watch her get ready for work. She was all love and yet all business. And I wanted to be just like her. I grew up watching her, learning from her. Much of who I am today is a result of my mom’s (inadvertent) mentoring.
And that set the stage for my seeking other mentors during my early career years.
One of the best was John Murray.
Fresh out of college, I worked as his sales and marketing director at Briar Hall Country Club. Not only did he see potential in me beyond what I could claim on a resume, he took me under his wing. He showed me the ropes. He took the time to show me how he did what he did. And I learned. A lot.
Practical education still is the best education. And that’s why mentoring is such an asset when pursuing personal career success.
So seek out your mentor. Find someone you admire, who essentially is what -- and who -- you want to be. Take as much as that mentor is willing to give.
And then someday, become a mentor yourself, and pay it forward.
Carolyn Kepcher is co-founder of fwm: finding what matters.
The case for a mentor
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Posted by Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:05pm PDT
Report AbuseI am now a mentor and have been a mentor to over a dozen young girls vying for a spot in the interior design field. I take them under my wing only for a few sessions that last a few hours at a time and I try to teach them the practical applications of this business on a daily basis.Things they don't necessarily learn in school. I find it to be so rewarding and they are so grateful for any insite to the business.I believe in sharing the knowledge with others and encouraging those in school to follow their passions and ambitions. Business professionals should share their knowledge with the young. They are the future of my industry and I think and hope their future clients will benefit from it.
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Posted by Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:35am PDT
Report AbuseMentoring can work both ways. One of my best friends is somebody I met in grad school. She was fresh out of undergrad and she wanted to do research that was similar to mine. I was in my 5th year of grad school (3rd in the PhD program where we met). Our advisor wasn't very good at mentoring and I had had a hard time finding projects and making my way through academia. Instead of seeing this kid (I'm 10 years older than she is) as competition, I plugged her into my networks and gave her opportunities to build her resume by working on projects with me or I worked with her on her projects to give her the skills she needed. As a result, she has created her own projects that are very different from mine. And, now, we give each other opportunities to collaborate on projects.
I just got my PhD and a real job and I will continue to pull this friend along with me as far as I can-- because she is brilliant, honest, and has never taken advantage of me. And, what began as colleagueship due to serendipity and coincidence has become a very warm and giving friendship that is no longer based only on academic interests. We have stood by one another through some very trying times on both the academic and personal levels. And neither of us takes the loyalty, generosity, or affection we have shown one another for granted. So, taking the time to mentor somebody who really wants it and appreciates it can lead to bigger and better things. Mentorship really can be a two-street.
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