Question for Gen Y Women: Does Mentoring Work For You?
Posted by sherrysaunders on February 3, 2010
Has mentoring helped your career? Tell us about your mentoring or lack of mentoring experiences.
You can post your musings on Young Women Misbehavin’, Facebook, Twitter or email us at kbarrett@bpwfoundation.org.
BPW Foundation's Women Misbehavin' Blog 
businesswom said
I must say that with the evolving nature of young women’s careers, it is more difficult to find a mentor. Older generations have clear-cut job descriptions, “live to work”, and can seek out someone who has served in the specific job role. Our generation, from what I know, “works to live”, and seem to have careers based on interests and serving. This can cut across multiple job descriptions. So, it doesn’t necessarily benefit us to find a mentor and follow their career path. However, it would be helpful to have a mentor who has similar interests and knows the array of job opportunities available that would fulfill our purpose/interests/need.
leadlikeagirl said
Dear businesswom,
I loved your thoughts on mentors!! I heard a speech last year that said not to seek a mentor whose job you want, but instead to find a mentor whose LIFE you want. That comment really struck me! As someone who definitely falls in the “work to live” category, I am constantly on the lookout for mentors who have equal parts fun & work (actually, truth be told, I’d rather have more fun & less work!). I am drawn to people who love what they do so much that it really doesn’t feel like work to them. What I’ve learned by doing that is that often my mentors are younger &/or less experienced than me!! It’s eye-opening to see that people of all ages, experience levels, and backgrounds have so much to offer me in the way of learning.
I also have more seasoned mentors too. They provide a different perspective on things, which I also appreciate.
All in all, I’d say that looking for mentors whose LIVES I want to emmulate has served me well and is what I reccommend to those that ask me about mentors. What do you think?!
Cassie said
I like the idea of finding a mentor whose life you want! I can’t say that one mentor is the answer. I have found that having many people I look up to and want their lives have helped me to get to where I am, and where I am going.