Career mentoring is an arrangement that can have immense benefits for the mentee as well as the mentor. However, the nature of this relationship is something that’s often misunderstood, and there are several myths surrounding it. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about mentoring.
The Mentee Is the Only One Who Learns
At first glance, it might seem that everything is black and white and the mentor is continually imparting their wisdom to help their mentee along. But in reality, this relationship is more of a two-way street where the mentor often learns from the mentee as well. While the benefits for the mentee may be more obvious, there’s a lot that both parties can bring to the table.
You Can Only Have a Single Mentor
The world is a very dynamic place, and a single mentor simply may not have all of the answers and advice that a mentee needs to truly thrive. Or maybe a mentee switches careers, and an existing mentor is no longer viable as a result. You’ll find that there are no exclusivity agreements with this type of relationship, and it may become apparent that it’s helpful to have two or even three mentors to cover the different areas of your career.
Mentors Have to Be Older
For many people, the first thing they envision when they think of a mentor is someone who’s at least a few years older than the mentee. There’s the notion that wisdom and expertise can only come from age. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
In some cases, a mentor will be considerably younger than the mentee. There have even been cases where high-powered executives turn to a younger generation to ensure they stay fresh and current with the times.
You Can Cash in on a Mentor’s Network
While it’s definitely possible that partnering with a mentor could lead to future opportunities and an introduction to key contacts, this should by no means be an expectation. Before a mentor will put in a good word for a mentee, it typically demands that a certain level of rapport and trust is established.
If you’ve just met a mentor, you shouldn’t have the idea they’ll put you in touch with big name contacts for immediate job advancement opportunities.
Slashing through misconceptions such as these is important for clarifying the true nature of a mentor/mentee relationship. Doing so will give you a more realistic idea of what partnering with a mentor is really like and ensure that it’s a more rewarding experience.
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