Many of us go through our college courses with a certain career in mind. We spend a lot of time selecting the right school that will provide us the education that we need. But choosing the right field of study is just part of the preparation you can make for your future work. Another one that many people overlook is getting a mentor to guide them through the ins and outs of the business, giving you a head start. The following are only a few of the benefits that come with such a choice.
Gets You a Real-Life Experience
Many who get into a career fresh out of school get shocked at how different real life works from what they’ve studied. Working under a mentor will often expose you to the experience and let you learn from it. What’s even better is that you’re practically safe as you’ll be guided through your experience and not left to your own to figure things out. For example, if you want to become a lawyer, then you can study under a family law attorney.
Raises Your Confidence
As mentioned earlier, you’re guided in the right direction if you have a mentor, and this can help boost your confidence. You’re more sure of the path that you want to take, and you can get helpful feedback regarding your decision. If you have a good mentor, they’ll also be able to point out your strengths and help you identify your weaknesses. You’ll get a clearer picture of yourself and how you can progress in your career.
Expands Your Network
Your mentor can introduce you to other people in the field you can learn from and work with later on. This will quickly expand your network and strengthen your support system when you decide to proceed with your chosen career. It also helps you further avoid culture shock on the first day, as you’ll be familiar with the kind of people you’re going to be working with. Already knowing more about how the work goes and how the people are is an advantage.
Helps You Get Promoted Faster
Since you won’t have to spend so much time learning the ropes and getting to know the people, you’ll be able to work at your best in record time. This can help you get promoted and move up in the ranks at a more rapid pace. Sometimes, the presence of contacts can also present you with great opportunities to move forward in your career. Of course, it’s still up to you if you will accept such chances.
You might have the idea that your mentor will try to shape you to be exactly like them, but that’s not what they are supposed to do. A good one will help you figure out what you are all about and guide you towards a career path that fits you most within the field that you have chosen. When that happens, you will gain a better appreciation for and satisfaction with your job.
