What better way to be guided through your apprenticeship than with the help of a mentor who is by your side if you have any questions, encounter a struggle, or need career advice? Someone with experience in your current workplace or industry can assist you in navigating challenges and being your source of inspiration when you need it most. But how exactly do you go about finding a mentor in your job as an apprentice? Let’s talk about it …



Friendship to Mentorship

Finding a mentor is right at your fingertips and much easier to navigate than you may think. With the help of platforms like LinkedIn, making connections within your industry or workplace is a less complicated process. As an apprentice, expanding your network is the first step in opening your options to find the perfect mentor for you. In your spare time, why not research who is within your team, workplace, or industry to see who you can really learn from? Checking out their achievements, experience, and current responsibilities would be a great place to start. Even better, by connecting with them, it could all begin with a friendship that evolves into a mentorship. After all, establishing a genuine connection and comfort level with your mentor is important from the outset.

 

Throughout your apprenticeship, you may be fortunate enough to network in person with your ideal mentor. Why not casually mention that you're new to the industry and are looking for a mentor during your apprenticeship? Remember – if you don’t ask, you may miss out on a key opportunity for your progression.

 

The Non-Negotiables of a Mentor

Now that you have insight into finding a mentor, understanding who the right mentor is for you is important. A mentor is someone in the professional world who you feel you can gain valuable experience to progress. They offer guidance, support, and wisdom based on their own experiences and expertise. A mentor will dedicate time to focus on your development, offering advice and helping you navigate challenges that may arise during your apprenticeship. Before choosing your mentor, making a list of non-negotiables will make sure the decision you make isn’t one you have to rethink. Your list should be a reflection of what you envision when you think of your dream mentor.

 

Learning opportunities are expected to come from your mentor, but remember, it's also valuable to pick up expertise from everyone you work with, including your colleagues and those you network with during your career.



Steps to Connecting with your Mentor


Once you have found a potential mentor, why not reach out to show your interest in connecting further? Even mentioning a few dates for a brief meeting would be a great place to start. Make sure to demonstrate your eagerness to learn from them and be clear about your goals. During the meeting, share your background, aspirations, and areas for growth. By showing commitment and passion, your mentor will be more likely to want to help you on your journey. Remember, as much as you want to impress your mentor, it's important to understand how you can learn from them. Having that non-negotiable list we discussed earlier at hand during your meeting will make sure you're certain they're the right mentor for you.


It's also important to understand that your ideal mentor may have a busy work schedule. Building a mentoring relationship requires effort from both sides. While your mentor could dedicate time to guide and support you, as the apprentice, you must also commit time to building the relationship and actively engage in learning from your mentor.

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