Communicate with your current network. Attend volunteer events or social clubs. Have a goal for your mentoring. Know your goals (both short and long term).
What do you want to achieve professionally in the next three months? Can you do this in your current position or will it require you to change jobs? The more specific you are with your goals, the easier it will be to find the right mentor. One strategy for creating effective, easy-to-achieve goals is to work INTELLIGENTLY, which means that your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This is a tip sheet on how to create your own SMART goals. Ask yourself who you admire.
What job would you like to have in the next five, 10 or 15 years? Is this person in or out of your workplace? Who is your immediate role model in the place where you work? Keep an up-to-date list of the jobs and people you're viewing. Consider having an identity-based mentor in your organization, especially if you need to talk about the problems you face as an underrepresented person in your professional environment. Ask your potential mentor if they can spend an hour meeting with you. You don't want to be in a hurry and have enough time for the other person to ask you questions about your goals, etc.
Volunteer events are another good place to meet like-minded professionals, especially those who have retired and are looking for ways to give back. You can use an online platform like Volunteer Match to find volunteer opportunities in your city that match your interests. Once you start attending on a consistent basis, you'll meet regular customers and be able to diversify your contacts from there. Do you need some extra money? Here are 44 side activities to earn money in parallel.
From being self-employed to selling products, find out how to earn extra income today.
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