Mentoring Millenials

Most successful individuals, regardless of field or industry, have one thing in common—a mentor who helped them learn the ropes. These relationships are invaluable; however, as Millennials are poised to take over the workforce, mentorships are starting to fall by the wayside. “Young people are very self-motivated and determined. Often, they want to prove to themselves they can make anything happen. That’s understandable, but not an effective way of approaching career growth,” says Adam Smiley Poswolsky, author of The Quarter-Life Breakthrough: Invent Your Own Path, Find Meaningful Work, and Build a Life That Matters. “Asking for advice is not a sign of weakness; it shows you care about your job and building your career capital. The more you invest in mentorship, the more you learn.” In selecting a mentor, Poswolsky says you should look for someone who has five to 10 years more experience than you do, and take part in any type of official program your workplace offers. Additionally, it can be helpful to look for mentors outside of one’s immediate workplace. This relationship can be particularly beneficial because of its ability to facilitate frank, objective discussion free from the constraints of inter-office politics.