Being a student entrepreneur can be a challenging journey. You have big ideas, but sometimes it can be tough to know how to turn them into reality. That’s where a mentor can be invaluable.
A mentor is someone who has been in your shoes, who can offer advice, guidance, and support as you work towards your goals. It can be tough to find a mentor, especially if you’re young, so I’ve compiled a list of ways on how to find, approach, and maintain a mentor-mentee relationship!
1. Define Your Goals
Before you start looking for a mentor, it’s important to define your goals. What are you hoping to achieve? What skills do you want to develop? What kind of business do you want to start? Having a clear idea of what you want will help you find a mentor who can provide you with the guidance you need.
Getting clear on why you want a mentor to begin with is the first step in the journey to finding the right one.
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2. Network. Network. Network.
Networking can be as simple as asking a teacher you look up to if they’d be willing to sit down and look over your business plan, or even just sending a LinkedIn message to someone on LinkedIn who seems interesting and asking for their advice.
Once you have a network of people you would like to learn from, then you can start narrowing down and approaching them with your mentorship request.
3. Approach Them With Your Request
Once you have somebody in mind who you would like to establish a mentor-mentee relationship with, you can start preparing your request. Keep the goals that you had defined earlier in mind and consider the amount of time a busy person might be willing to give you.
Be clear and concise when asking them to become your mentor. Show them that you value and respect their time and are willing to work around their needs. Remember, often times mentors have been in the same position as you and have had other people’s help in getting to where they are.
Make sure to outline the aspects of the relationship. Establishing things such as how often you meet, how long you meet for, and ways in which you should contact them is important.
A crucial tip: Don’t approach somebody that you have never spoken to before and ask them to be your mentor. Developing rapport and a relationship prior to the request can help a lot in getting the “yes”. It’s best to approach people you already have a relationship with or spend some time in conversations with people first.
4. Maintain The Relationship
Once you’ve found somebody who is willing to become your mentor (congrats!), remember to keep your end of the deal. Don’t miss any meetings with them, constantly reschedule, or disrespect their time in any way. While a mentorship is often a two way street, keep in mind that they are taking the time out to help you grow as a person.
Make sure to keep them updated on your progress and how their advice has helped you and show gratitude for their guidance and support. A small gesture like a handwritten thank-you note can go a long way in maintaining a positive relationship with your mentor.
In conclusion, finding a mentor as a student entrepreneur can be a daunting task, but it is a crucial step towards achieving your goals. Defining your goals, networking, approaching potential mentors with respect, and maintaining the relationship are all important aspects of this process.
Remember, mentorship is a two-way relationship where both parties can learn and grow from each other. With patience, persistence, and an open mind, you can find a mentor who can guide you through the ups and downs of your entrepreneurial journey. Good luck on your search!
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