Mentor
A mentor is a person who acts as a wise counsellor and guide to a younger or more inexperienced person, generally on an informal, one-to-one basis. A mentor also can provide support, and instruction to another person, due to their knowledge and expertise. Mentor often act as a trusted advisor and role model in careers and personal life guidance.
Mentors can be found in most areas of life, but are most beneficial where the mentor helps his or her pupil to a more godly or spiritual life. Mentors are also found in academia, politics and other areas of life. In the business world, "mentoring", where an experienced business person takes a more junior, but promising, employee under his or her wing, is increasingly a recognised and formalised practice.
The word 'mentor' derives from a character in Homer's Odyssey: the original Mentor was a wise old man who tutored Telemachus during Odysseus' long absence.
How to choose a mentor
When choosing a mentor, you can consider such factors as: their skills, experience, and how effectively and harmoniously you will work together. In addition, you can also think about your goals and what you want to get out of the relationship.[2]
Articles:
- What’s the Right Way to Find a Mentor?, Harvard Business Review
- How to Choose a Mentor, Yale University
- How To Choose a Mentor in 5 Steps, Indeed
- How to find a mentor in 8 steps, Asana
- How to ask for mentorship at work
- How to Find a Mentor and Grow Toward Your Goals, Coursera
- 5 Best Practices for Finding & Selecting a Good Mentor
- 10 Important Qualities To Look for in a Mentor (With Tips), Indeed
- The 12 pivotal qualities of the best mentors</ref>
See also
Opposite:
- Autodidacticism (Self-taught)
