getty
Technology professionals have always needed to be ready to learn quickly in the face of rapid evolution. And now, as technology makes its way into nearly every industry, it’s a field that grows and changes faster than ever. The right mentor can be an invaluable ally for a young professional learning to navigate both the ever-changing technical side of their work as well as the politics and soft skills needed to succeed in any career.
The most important thing is finding the right mentor—someone who not only has the knowledge and experience you know you’re looking for but who can also help you discover new paths you may not have considered. Fortunately, with a little groundwork, you might be surprised at the number of people you’ll find who are more than willing to offer valuable guidance for your professional journey. Below, 16 members of Forbes Technology Council share tips to help young tech professionals find the perfect mentor.
1. Start With The Kind Of Guidance You’re Looking For
Make sure you know what you want in a mentor. If you need someone to listen, make sure they know that’s their role. If you need someone to coach, make sure they know what kind of coaching you’re looking for. Help your mentor deliver by giving them a clear roadmap. - Meagan Bowman, STOPWATCH
2. Don’t Assume Someone Will Say No
I think it’s important to understand how often people want to mentor and give back. Often, people are unwilling to ask people in positions significantly senior to theirs, instead choosing teammates or someone in an adjacent role. Choose a mentor who has varied experience, and think outside of your current role and environment. Feel free to ask a senior executive at your organization—you may be surprised at their willingness. - Kyle Pretsch, Leslie’s Poolmart
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
3. Look For People Who Have Knowledge And Skills You Lack
While meeting new people has been challenging in the time of Covid, as things reopen, take full advantage of the power of networks to find people who are specialists in areas of business or technology you are not as skilled at or are seeking to grow in. Coffee meetings are a great way to connect with people, and sharing your vision up front is a way to get people to say yes to meeting you. - Chris Paquette, DeepIntent
4. Put Yourself Out There
It’s been my experience that my mentors have found me. They saw a younger version of themselves in me, and they wanted to give back. Internally, getting out there means taking opportunities to interact at Christmas parties and staff meetings instead of staying within your circle of peers. Externally, it means attending networking events and trade shows. Step out of your comfort zone. - Justin Hatch, Reach Reporting
5. Join Networking Groups
Join networking groups, both in person and virtually. Tech veterans—even those only five to ten years into their careers—are normally more than happy to donate some of their time and talent to help the next generation. I’d also recommend having more than one mentor; it’s good to have a couple of different sounding boards. - Jim Xiao, Mason
6. Take Advantage Of The Opportunities That Come With Remote Work
Young professionals in the tech industry need to take advantage of the lack of a strong hierarchy caused by work-from-home arrangements. Before the pandemic, many people were chained by a structure that only allowed them to interact with direct managers. Junior staff can use new opportunities to interact with senior colleagues to not only show that they’re motivated, but also that they’re taking the initiative to step outside their comfort zone. - Nicola Morini Bianzino, EY
7. Attend Relevant Trade Shows
I found my mentors throughout the years by meeting people at different trade shows. Trade shows are helpful for networking because you get a chance to meet people a few times and see if they’re open to mentorship. Go to trade shows that are focused on the subject you’re learning about; you’ll find like-minded individuals who can nurture you and help you grow. - Richard Kahn, Anura Solutions, LLC
8. Look For Someone With An Engineering Degree
Make sure your mentor has an engineering degree—ideally one in software engineering. To really be able to predict where technology is going, you and your team need to understand the fundamentals with technical depth. Beware of people who present themselves as technology experts but have little understanding of how technology works. Their lens will be blurry and their tools blunted. - Sam Glassenberg, Level Ex
9. Take A Look Around Your Existing Network
Pay attention to your existing network. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right in front of you. You might even find that someone is already informally mentoring you, so it will be a lot easier to ask them. Choosing someone from your network is always a better fit, as they already know your work and abilities. Can’t find someone? Look for connections who might lead you to the right path. - Nacho De Marco, BairesDev
10. Seek Out Someone With A Different Perspective
When looking for an excellent technology mentor, seek someone who has foresight and innovative ways of thinking and who is committed to the ongoing improvement of their organization’s technological solutions. Seek out perspectives that differ from your own, such as someone who can advise you on technical matters or someone who can show you how to think strategically about subjects you haven’t considered yet. - Gaurav Aggarwal, Avanade Inc.
11. Don’t Limit Your Search To Tech Professionals
Ask a broad range of professionals who are working in either positions or companies you’d aspire to work in. Choose the one who responds most enthusiastically and is the most genuinely personally flattered by your request. They will help you the most. - David Glazer, Kroll
12. Create A Wish List
Create a list of the top ten mentors you would love to work with. Research their contact information through LinkedIn or common connections. Then send them a book in the mail on a relevant topic or the latest trend in their industry. Add a personal note expressing your intention, and ask for a call. Out of ten contacts, five will happily speak with you, and at least one will agree to mentor you. - Adi Ekshtain, Amaryllis Payment Solutions
13. See If Your Company Offers A Mentoring Program
Some companies provide newcomers with an opportunity to join a mentoring program. These programs can be facilitated internally, by managers or the company’s HR, or externally by third-party providers. New employees can learn not only technical skills but also people and leadership skills through such programs, and they can meet with their mentors and coaches regularly to get the support and direction they need to be successful. - Zheng Fan, University of Miami Herbert Business School
14. Research Potential Mentors Before Reaching Out
In the age of information, you can learn a lot by doing simple online research. In fact, you can back into almost any solution or reverse-engineer any success story. Sometimes, this is the more straightforward way to get answers. In any event, independent, in-depth research about your prospective mentor’s path will also set you up for a deeper, more effective mentoring relationship. - Olga V. Mack, Parley Pro
15. Find Someone With Experience To Share
Find mentors who can share experience, not ones who can only teach you skills. There are several other avenues to learn skills at your own pace and time. The real benefit a mentor provides is the knowledge they have about how to best use your skills and apply them effectively. A successful mentor will help open your eyes to the larger picture that many new tech professionals can’t see. - Greg Young, Uniform Law Commission
16. Remember That You Have Something To Offer Too
Don’t be afraid to ask, and remember that different levels of people can help you with different things. If someone is substantially more senior, you can learn about high-level strategy from them, even if they’re too removed to directly help you move to your next level. Mentorship is also not a one-sided relationship; sometimes those at higher levels are too far removed to understand what kind of help people at your level want, and your perspective will help them gain insight. - Noah Mitsuhashi, noahmitsuhashi.io
