A reader needs some advice.
I feel as though I need a mentor. I have no idea where to find one. I know that my direct supervisor should be a pretty good resource. She is not. My supervisor does as she is told. Everything is reactionary — not proactive. There has never been any effort by the company to make her a good boss.
I am sure that we are not the only company with this problem. I am not the only person without a proper mentor. My problem is that no one here is teaching me a darn thing! The more I read about my future career, the more I am scared out of my mind. In an effort to make things better, I signed up for continuing education classes on my own dime. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Most supervisors are not mentors. They are bosses. They tell you what to do based on what they’ve been told to do. Everyone gets a paycheck. Can your boss ever be your mentor? Maybe — but I want you to dream bigger.
I think the idea of going back to school is fabulous. You will meet teachers and faculty members who will help you throughout your career. You will also meet students who will become part of a bigger network of resources. You won’t be in this alone. You’ll have comrades in arms!
Finally, you should know that mentors are great, but they are not omniscient people who emerge out of the fog to solve your problems. I like the idea of inserting yourself into challenging problems, improve your education and strengthen your confidence. Then go be a mentor to someone in your industry.
Just pay it forward, okay?
That’s how the world works. And that’s what we try to do at The Starr Conspiracy.
{ 7 comments }
Excellent observation and advice, Laurie. Especially the point about how they are not “Answer-givers.” The original Mentor just told Telemachus to get off his butt and pointed him in the right direction to find the answers on his own.
I love it. Thanks, Mark!
So true Laurie! Pay it forward is the name of the game.
I learned from the best, Meg!
…especially when all you need to do is tell people to get off their butts.
Having a mentor is the optimal scenario. It’s very rare. When one has a mentor, they are lucky. I recall in my early working years (post college), I had a lot of evil bosses – some that even wanted to see me fail. Yes, not succeed because they knew I was too round for their square hole. I had no idea it was going to be like that! I was so disappointed in the world of work and often wondered “why won’t any of these smart/successful people help me? . . don’t they know I am the bomb if given the right chance, including a little guidance?” Yes, academia is one path to find support. An environment that promotes enlightenment does that to people. However, in my own life, I taught myself early on to pay close attention and befriend those that are well-liked and respected by their peers and bosses. You know the type: diplomatic, humorous and accomplished. They also had to show an interest in me, of course. Sounds like a leader, right? Little did I know that at the time. Today, I still know those people and can have coffee with them. They know I am up to good things. They are my mentors and that’s how I found them.
Such a relevant topic. There seems to be more and more people in the workplace aching for someone to mentor them. I think that when people expand the definition of mentor they can find a little more satisfaction. Mentors don’t have to be long term, they can be in the moment; they don’t have to be in your company or even your profession- anyone who can help you grow even has an effect in many areas. I do agree that it’s tough for an immediate supervisor to be a mentor-roles too easily get muddled. Hopefully, though, they can advocate, coach, and develop.
From this post, I would guess that part of what your reader is lacking is feedback of any kind. She/he needs a compass that she is heading in the right direction and seems to be taking classes in hopes of learning how to read the geography herself/himself.
I agree with Brad. The reader needs to be hyper conscious of those around her/him and develop a relationship with a leader.
I wish her/him the best of luck