13 Tips on Finding a Mentor

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Karen offers sound advice in this article.
I have worked with mentors in the past.
I find people that I respect, and I make sure they understand that I value their help. I give back as much as I can, so that we can maintain the foundation of a growing relationship based on trust and honesty.
If you keep a positive mindset, you can work more productively with your mentor. You can consider learning from Brian Tracy, if you are ready to improve your mindset.

Jacklin Gharibian of CA 9:50PM April 23, 2012

If you are looking for a mentor or are interested in mentoring someone- please visit www.onlybridges.com. OnlyBridges serves as an interactive platform where students and young professionals can meet mentors who can offer them advice, support and guidance.
The mentoring is mostly done online, through instant chat, private chat, chat rooms, etc. The site is very informal and flexible. Mentors and mentees can choose how much time they want to devote.
Hope to see you there!
OnlyBridges Staff

Grant of NJ 2:42PM June 03, 2011

i've had many 'mentor's, most of them probably did not even know at the time that they were. other people knew but not the actual mentor. a mentor is a person whom someone else is trying to emulate. if that person knows they are mentors it would take away the effectiveness of what i am trying to achieve.
i have told some of these mentors after awhile "you are my mentor". all have been complimented by that fact. and i firmly believe it's sort of easier that way than to come out and ask the person 'would you be my mentor?' it would tend to make cause them not to be natural, which would destroy the reason/s i want them for my mentor.
a mentor is therefore a teacher. children do this every day just by being themselves. we can learn alot from kids...good things. i've seen kids from foriegn countries whom could not speak a single word of English learn just by playing with other kids their own age and in a few weeks be able to read, speak, and understand English. even without a formal 'teacher'.
since 1972 i have been a Flight Instructor and have several thousand hours flying small airplanes and helping other people learn to have fun the same way. only one of my students has actually told me that "you have been my mentor". it is the best complement i have ever received.

ron curren of OR 5:37PM March 26, 2010

I saw a column where folks were discussing getting mentoring help and the person who would be considered mentor materiel responded to?

Sarah of WA 1:01AM February 06, 2010

Mentors are very important for career development, and the tips you give to find a good mentor are wonderful.
I wonder -- does it always have to be a formal "Will you be my mentor?" kind of set-up? I've had many mentors during my career, and the majority of them have been structured more informally. A lot of the same give-and-take as you mention here, but no actual asking. In some ways, it ended up better because there was not as much dependence on the individuals.

Melissa of WI 4:47PM January 15, 2010

Can you recommend a mentor website

Trish of NY 6:26PM January 14, 2010

...that's a great additional thought!

Working Girl of WA 6:00PM January 14, 2010

A great article, with lots of fab tips, Karen, thank you.
As a long-time mentor of many mentees, I find that one of the most offputting aspects of mentorship is the worry that you will not be able to extricate yourself from the arrangement, and that the commitment is inevitably for the long term.
Alleviate this worry for your potential mentor by time-boxing the commitment and giving the mentor a clear 'out' at the end of this time. For instance, you could make an arrangement for three sessions, or six sessions over six months. Make it clear what you want to achieve in this time (for instance, making a career transition, or achieving a promotion). The time constraint will have the effect of sharpening the relationship, with more definite goals and actions.
There is, of course, nothing to stop your mentor relationship continuing beyond the contracted period - this can happen if you both wish it to - but it gives you both an amicable 'out' if things aren't working well.
The promise to keep commitment short might also get you access to a mentor you might otherwise not get time with if their calendar is very busy.
More on picking a mentor at: http://www.relaunchyourcareer.co.uk/how-to-pick-a-mentor/

Heather Goodwin 7:34PM January 13, 2010