(Part 1 of a three part series)

A mentorship can be a tricky thing to find, but once found it can become an incredibly fulfilling relationship. It takes time, planning and commitment to really get to know someone, and a mentor is no different. The transition between 2 year to a 4 year college, or to a career after graduation can sometimes present challenges and uncertainties that seems overwhelming!

Mentors can provide vital career support and academic guidance, and often become lifelong friends. Here are my tips for finding a mentor.

Assess what you want from the mentorship.

What type of skills you are hoping to gain? What can you can bring to the table? Although mentorships are thought of as one person mentoring the other, the reality is that a mentee should also be looking to help their mentor.

Look around.

There are potential mentors everywhere! Mentorship can be found through work, internships and volunteer experiences. Some programs, such as Pearson Scholars, help students by pairing them with a mentor to guide them through the transfer process. These connections can be formed nationwide, and can connect through video chats –  so don’t be afraid to look afar (or online!).

Mentors are a valuable part of getting experience and expertise needed to succeed in academics or careers. Just be sure to have an open mind about what a mentor could be, think about what you want to gain (and give!) as part of the mentorship relationship – and don’t be intimidated to step outside of your comfort zone!

Do you have a mentor in your life? How did you get connected with that individual? Share with the Pearson Students community by commenting below!