Today@Dal

From the Career Services Centre blog:

Whether you’re a student (undergraduate or graduate), a recent graduate on the job hunt, a new professional starting their career, or about to start your second (or third) career, a mentor is a valuable source of information and support for your career.

So what is a mentor and why should you have one?

When you’re just starting out in your chosen field, a great way to get a solid introduction into your industry is to find a mentor. A mentor is someone who you can look to for guidance career-wise and the benefits to having one are virtually limitless. Having a mentor can give you individual recognition, encouragement and support and provide you with a realistic perspective of the workplace. Having a mentor can also help boost your confidence in both yourself and your career aspirations – it can give you confidence when working with other professionals and the confidence to take on and achieve new career goals.

How and when should you find a mentor?

Finding a mentor while you’re still in school is an excellent idea. It allows you to find out more about the industry you’re interested in and will allow you to expand your network in preparation of your job search. But you can also look for a mentor when you’re already in the workforce as they can be helpful and a great source of support and guidance.

Finding a mentor can be tricky. As it said in a recent article in the Globe and Mail, “Whether you need advice or a sounding board, it takes time to find the right mentor for your needs and goals.”

However, there are ways to make the search easier.

Read the rest of this post at blogs.dal.ca.