Mentoring provides a valuable platform for personal and professional growth, offering a wealth of benefits for anyone looking to progress in their career. By engaging in a mentorship relationship, you can gain access to guidance, support, and expertise from experienced professionals who have walked the path before you.
How can a mentor help me progress in my career?
There’s a number of ways a mentor can have a positive impact on your career progression.
Knowledge and Experience
A mentor can share their knowledge and experience to help you navigate the complexities of your chosen career path. They can provide insights and valuable advice based on their own professional journey, helping you avoid pitfalls and make informed decisions.
Personal and Professional Development
Mentoring offers a unique opportunity for self-improvement. Through regular interactions with a mentor, you can enhance your skills, build self-confidence, and gain clarity on your goals. Your mentor can help you identify areas for growth and guide you in creating effective strategies to reach your full potential.
Expanded Network
Building a robust professional network is crucial for career success. Your mentor can introduce you to industry contacts, expanding your connections and opening doors to new opportunities. They can also offer guidance on networking etiquette, helping you navigate the professional landscape with ease.
Emotional Support and Encouragement
Emotional support and encouragement
The apprenticeship journey can be challenging at times, but having a mentor by your side can provide valuable emotional support. They can offer encouragement during difficult moments, help you overcome obstacles, and serve as a source of motivation throughout your career development.
How can I find a mentor?
It can be tricky to find a mentor if you don’t know where to start. To find a mentor, consider the following steps:
- Define your goals: Before seeking a mentor, identify your career objectives and areas where you would benefit from guidance. Clarify what you hope to achieve through mentoring and what specific skills or knowledge you seek.
- Decide your ideal Mentor profile through Professional Networks: Leverage your existing professional networks, such as LinkedIn, industry associations, or local business organisations. Reach out to professionals in your field or individuals you admire, expressing your interest in finding a mentor. Networking events and online communities can also be valuable for connecting with mentors.
- If you’re a current Apprentice: register for a Mentor through Multiverse!
Remember, your relationship with your Mentor takes consistency, and structure. Read on to hear other Apprentice’s experiences.
What’s it like to have a mentor?
We asked some current Multiverse apprentices about their mentor experiences.
Kreena, a Data Fellowship Apprentice.
Who was your mentor?
I was matched with an experienced professional in the industry.
What were your expectations from the mentoring relationship?
I anticipated receiving career guidance and advice for my future, as well as insights on pivoting my career and forging a new path. I wanted to learn from someone who had successfully transitioned between different roles, understanding their effective navigation.
How did it go?
Since our very first conversation, I knew this journey would be invaluable. My mentor invested time in understanding my goals and sharing experiences, fostering a constructive and trust-based relationship. They adapted our sessions to address my professional challenges, offering valuable advice and coaching to achieve desired outcomes. Even between sessions, they followed up, providing additional frameworks and support. Their approach boosted my confidence to navigate difficult professional conversations.
Any advice for fellow apprentices?
Be open and honest, allowing trust to grow between you and your mentor. Clearly communicate your expectations and be proactive. Remain adaptable, as workplace circumstances may change, and embrace pivoting as part of the growth process.
Joshua Nsimba, a Apprentice, shares his mentorship story.
Who was your mentor?
I was paired with an experienced entrepreneur and coach.
What were your goals for the mentorship?
I sought assistance in building self-confidence, setting goals, and creating personal development plans. Additionally, I desired career guidance and advice for my future. Above all, I aimed to learn and grow from their expertise.
How did it go?
My mentor's commitment to our relationship was commendable. They consistently provided excellent advice, ensuring our conversations were impactful. They were attentive, actively listening during our sessions, and making time to support me despite their busy schedule.
Any advice for fellow apprentices?
Prepare questions ahead of your calls to ensure you optimize the time spent with your mentor. This way, you can receive the specific help and support you need.
Becoming a mentor
Whether you’re an Apprentice or someone external to Multiverse, , you can make a positive impact by becoming one yourself. As a mentor, you'll contribute your expertise and guide others in their professional journey, whether they’re just starting their career with a Multiverse Apprenticeship, or if they’re reskilling and transitioning into a tech field at a later stage.
Mentoring also benefits your professional growth. You could:
- Gain access to mentor-related training
- Utilise opportunities to connect with a network of experienced professionals
- Earn extra experience to add to your resume
- Contribute to your on-the-job development.
By supporting Apprentice mentees in your area of expertise, you can make a difference, while accessing resources and networking opportunities within your community. It’s required that you have at least 6 years professional full time experience to become a Mentor.
Multiverse apprentices have access to a fantastic professional community of 10,000+ peers, including dedicated Apprentice support in the Peer Support Portal. Within that, the Multiverse community also offers mentoring to match apprentices with experienced professionals.
Alongside community support, every apprentice also has a personalised 1:1 coach and apprentice manager who assist in building on professional and personal development.
Want access to professional mentoring and more? Start your apprenticeship journey here. If you’re already an Apprentice, get a mentor here.
