Why Would Someone Want To Be A Mentor?
Mentoring Is Best When It’s A Balanced Relationship
Mentorship Is Different From Internship
Having a mentor is different from an internship. Both are meant to be a learning experience, but having a mentor is more about sharing knowledge that includes life skills, whereas an internship is usually limited to job skills.
For example, it is perfectly reasonable to ask your mentor questions like:
• How did you deal with setbacks?
• Did you have self-doubt?
• What kept you from giving up?
The Rules Of Mentorship
Finding A Mentor
Many choose a mentor from someone that they already know. One way to meet a mentor is to volunteer for service work in your community. Many times you can make valuable contacts with successful people who are also giving their time and expertise to these projects.
There are also formal mentor programs such as one offered by the Small Business Association. It is called the SCORE program and the services are free.
SCORE is a good program for aspiring entrepreneurs. It can help, if you do not know of anyone who is the kind of mentor you need. Seeking out help through the SBA puts you in touch with an experienced businessperson who is a part of their volunteer mentoring program.