In a world where individuals are becoming increasingly responsible for their own career development, finding a mentor, or several, is extremely valuable.
Who is a mentor? A mentor is a trusted source of knowledge who supports your professional growth and development. They’re usually somewhat established in the industry that you work in, or are trying to get into. Unlike a career coach or advisor, you will generally have a long-term relationship with a mentor. Mentors provide their time and expertise on a volunteer basis, unlike coaches or advisors who are often paid.
If you’re a grad student trying to transition into industry, mentors can really help make your path clearer. However, finding a mentor and maintaining the mentor-mentee relationship isn’t always easy. Here are some common questions about mentorship:
Question 1: How do I find a mentor?
There are several ways to do this, but I’ll start with the most important piece of advice I’ve received: don’t ASK someone to be your mentor if you’ve never met – it’s awkward for everyone involved. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes: why would they agree to mentor someone they don’t even know? Remember that the mentor-mentee relationship is a long-term one. Get to know them first, and let them get to know you. The mentor-mentee relationship will naturally form over time. In fact, it’s pretty normal for most people to have plenty of mentors without ever saying “So, can you be my mentor?”
Now that we’ve talked about what not to do, let’s talk about what you can do instead. You might be lucky enough to find a formal mentorship program. If you have access to a program that matches you with a professional with a similar background, by all means take advantage of that opportunity. Mentorship programs usually run for a set amount of time, but if you form a good relationship with your mentor, you should definitely continue the conversation after the program has ended.
More likely, you’ll have to seek out a mentor on your own. Introductions and networking are your friends here. If your supervisor is supportive of your goals, ask them if they know anyone who works in your field of interest. Same goes for your advisory committee members (also, remember that your supervisor and your committee can be mentors too!). Ask your fellow students if they know of older students who have graduated and are now pursuing a similar career. Go to career or networking events. Set up an initial meeting, and if you get along, keep the conversation going. Once you’ve met a couple of times, you can decide for yourself if you like and trust them enough to consider them a mentor (and they’ll do the same with you as a mentee).
Question 2: What should I discuss with my mentor?
Once again, let’s start off with what not to do. Don’t show up without having done your homework and expect your mentor to take the lead. Imagine the difference between an undergrad saying “I want to get into grad school, what should I do?” vs “I’m thinking about grad school and I’ve identified two potential labs. One has a newer PI who’s more involved in their students’ work and I like the project, the other has a more established PI who’s more hands-off but I’d have a better shot at top-tier publications. Do you have any advice for which I should choose?” Which one do you think you’d have a better conversation with?
Come with specific questions and be prepared to show what you’ve done so far. Examples could include:
“I’m about to start applying for jobs. Here’s the resume I’ve put together – I’d appreciate advice on any part of it, but I’m especially struggling with the summary. It sounds awkward and forced. Any thoughts?”
“I’m really interested in a career in data analytics. I’ve done some beginner SQL courses, but I’d like to know if I should spend time taking advanced courses, or are there other skills I should be learning instead?”
“I’m applying for marketing positions, but I’m having trouble framing my grad school experience in a way that makes sense for my application. Do you mind if I bounce a few ideas off you?”
One thing to consider is having multiple mentors, which some people refer to as a “personal board of directors”. Your personal board should consist of people with different backgrounds who you can rely on for advice on different aspects of your career. Having a personal board of directors allows you to get multiple perspectives, and also takes the pressure off a single mentor – you can direct only the most relevant questions to them.
Question 3: How often should I meet/talk to my mentor?
If you’re in a mentorship program, the program will often have a suggested meeting frequency, e.g. every two weeks or monthly.
Outside of a formal program, interactions with a mentor are usually on an as-needed basis (unless you actually work with them). Once or twice a year is pretty common, unless there’s a specific need for more frequent interaction. The mentors you interact with regularly will also change over time as your career evolves.
Note that all mentors appreciate when you keep in touch with them and let them know what you’re up to – after all, they’ve invested their time in you! Add them on LinkedIn and email them if you have successes to share with them.
A special note on finding mentors for women, people of colour, and other minorities
Back in the good ol’ days, your mentor was usually your boss (a white man), who looked and acted just like you (also a white man). As the workforce changes and becomes more diverse, we’re seeing more and more people who look, act and think differently from each other working together. This is a GOOD thing. However, many people in senior positions, especially in North America and Europe, are still predominantly white middle-aged men. There’s also a similar problem in academia.
For young women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ individuals, and traditionally disadvantaged minorities, finding a mentor isn’t always straightforward. Even when you have a supportive environment, you may not identify with the mentors immediately available to you. While I’ve been fortunate to have had several wonderful male mentors, my female mentors have always made a bigger impact on me.
The good news is that professional mentoring networks just keep growing and getting better. In some cities there are great local chapters that meet in person, and of course in the digital age there are plenty of online networks to take advantage of. If you’re having trouble finding a mentor you identify with, I’d encourage you to check out professional associations that serve your community. Here’s a short selection of organizations (mostly based in Canada or the US):
SCWIST – Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology
AWIS – Association for Women in Science
AWM – Association for Women in Mathematics
A list of Black professional organizations and associations (mostly US-based), including many STEM associations such as the National Society of Black Engineers, the National Society of Black Physicists, and the National Medical Association
SACNAS – Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
I Have A PhD, Now What? 
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