Looking for a mentor

[sdkrc]

A long shot but I'm hoping to find a mentor.
I'm keen to learn from someone not in my immediate circle and Pistonheads seems to have an eclectic mix.
I want to find out what you do, how you do it and why you do it.
If you're bright, successful and feeling philanthropic I'd love to hear from you and pick your mind.

Not sure what I can offer in return right now but I'm sure there will be something, be that something related to my line of work, an outside point of view, errands etc.
I'm in my twenties. I work with software on complex financial products. Based in Glasgow but I would be wiling to travel and contact could be made mainly by email. I'm open to ideas!

Hope to hear from you.

Sdkrc

[jonnydm]

sdkrc said:

A long shot but I'm hoping to find a mentor.
I'm keen to learn from someone not in my immediate circle and Pistonheads seems to have an eclectic mix.
I want to find out what you do, how you do it and why you do it.
If you're bright, successful and feeling philanthropic I'd love to hear from you and pick your mind.

Not sure what I can offer in return right now but I'm sure there will be something, be that something related to my line of work, an outside point of view, errands etc.
I'm in my twenties. I work with software on complex financial products. Based in Glasgow but I would be wiling to travel and contact could be made mainly by email. I'm open to ideas!

Hope to hear from you.

Sdkrc

Good on you for looking for this, and a nice touch that you're offering to return the favour so to speak. I think mentoring in an informal sense is as good for the mentor as the mentee. In most cases, both will enjoy the benefits of something constructive, perhaps outside of their usual social / work circle.

I'd just think about a couple of points first - what are you looking for in terms of your own short - medium term goals? Also re. your potential mentor, everyone has a different definition of success. Perhaps worth looking for something specific, maybe someone who has reached a senior position in your current field / has used their knowledge in that to set up on their own?

I'm quite possibly the same age as you or even younger, but I often informally mentor friends and others - younger / older on career related matters as I've seen and done quite a bit over the years. Conversely, I look to discuss various things with others who I know to be in a position of experience. Point being, that anyone who has something productive to offer can be a mentor and always worth seeking one out!

[Vaud]

OP - your profile doesn't allow emails...

[sdkrc]

Vaud said:

OP - your profile doesn't allow emails...

Fixed. Thanks for pointing that out.

[rog007]

jonnydm said:

...I think mentoring in an informal sense is as good for the mentor as the mentee.

This is usually the case.

Worth highlighting at this stage that mentoring is usually associated with getting support from someone within your industry, whereas coaching is usually associated with someone without your industry. Both also usually have different approaches and outcomes.

[ChasW]

rog007 said:

jonnydm said:

...I think mentoring in an informal sense is as good for the mentor as the mentee.

This is usually the case.

Worth highlighting at this stage that mentoring is usually associated with getting support from someone within your industry, whereas coaching is usually associated with someone without your industry. Both also usually have different approaches and outcomes.

It's the other way around. The coaching I do is more task oriented and helping the person learn on the job. The mentoring is more reflective and encourages the mentee to come to their own conclusions, particularly about the their development and career path, and feel empowered. In the former you typically need sector knowledge to be of any real value.

[rog007]

ChasW said:

It's the other way around. The coaching I do is more task oriented and helping the person learn on the job. The mentoring is more reflective and encourages the mentee to come to their own conclusions, particularly about the their development and career path, and feel empowered. In the former you typically need sector knowledge to be of any real value.

I acknowledge that neither term is a protected title in law so no one can be wrong; but according to established practice and precedent, coaching is generally about personal attributes and mentoring is generally about work based skills ('learning on the job').

CIPD describe it nicely here: http://www.cipd.co.uk/hr-resources/factsheets/coac...

It's not a key issue to get too hung up about; what's important is that people have options to improve themselves and whatever term is used, it's the outcomes that are important.

Someone once said:

"A coach has some great questions for your answers; a mentor has some great answers for your questions"

[ChasW]

Not hung about it. However, having had training in both, I would not like to think I'd been misleading my clients! I recently mentored, via a formal scheme run by his university, a student over his final 12 months leading to graduation and job hunt. His aim was to set up fast food business. I could not offer any guidance on the business idea but was able to help him map out his career choices against his skills and ambitions. I coach CEO's of small businesses and start-ups towards set goals, again under a couple of formal schemes. It's crystal clear to me what the difference is.

[rog007]

Ouch! That comment was certainly not directed at yourself; it was a generalism. Apologies for offending.

[Du1point8]

If still interested PM me...

I work in IT Finance and part of my job is mentoring the grads that come into the company, some from IT point of view, some from business and those that want to chat.

I enjoy it and would be happy to chat about it.

Although Im going to be difficult to catch on a day to day basis for quick answers, as Im currently based in Australia on secondment for some more months (usually Im in London), plus Australia means Im based here, but could be in HK/Sing/Tokyo. If you want to PM me then I will be checking the email account for the next few days thats attached to PH.