After reading this segment, you will be able to:

• Find a mentor in an educational institution or at work who will guide you as you learn new skills
• Learn about the work environment from someone who is experienced in and knowledgeable about a particular field

Introduction

Mentoring enriches and fosters environments in which to learn, teach, and grow. Mentors are experienced professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to guide less experienced professionals in the workplace. Mentors also exist in schools, colleges, and universities; these mentors are usually professors who teach students about their professions.

Mentors not only transfer their knowledge, but also demonstrate how to acquire and apply the critical thinking skills and the methods of enquiry needed to create and communicate that knowledge.

Good mentors are

• empathic--sensitive to the needs of the protégé,



• responsive to the desire to learn,



• knowledgeable of the career field or profession,



• aware of the limitations of the protégé,



• trust builders, and



• patient.

Good mentors also show an understanding of the new employees or of students who often are struggling with personal difficulties or problems in adapting to the particular culture of the company or institution.

Caring mentors also provide the foundation for specialized insights and positive reinforcement. These insights and reinforcements increase and reward intellectual curiosity and make new employees and students value the learning process not only for its utility, but also for the satisfactions derived from achieving goals.

Finding a Mentor

The most effective mentors provide optimum learning because of the knowledge and wisdom they can share with the protégé. There are many ways to find a mentor:

The Career Services Office at your college can put you in touch with mentoring organizations in your community.

Mentor programs are available in most fields of specialization. Professional associations often organize mentoring programs, so contact a professional association in your field to inquire about finding a mentor.

Mentorprise is a Canadian organization specializing in the matching of mentors with proteges. It is funded in part by Human Resources Canada. At the present time, the organization’s Website is under construction, but you can call 1-877-2-MENTOR to find out more about its programs.

During the information interview, inquire about mentor programs within the company or organization you are visiting. You may find a company that conducts mentoring programs in collaboration with your school, college, or university.

To find out more about information interviews, click here: Information Interviews.

Internet Resources

Visit the Virtual Reference Desk section located on Seneca College's Learning Commons Online Website.

To find out about the value of professional memberships, click here: Professional Memberships