Black Collegian Career Center

You've learned everything there is to know to land your first professional position. You’ve prepared the perfect resume, mastered the firm handshake, and participated in countless mock interview practice sessions. You've even read books and articles on how to conduct yourself on the job. But you still have some questions about the company culture and the appropriate “next steps” to take, especially as it pertains to your field. How do you go about finding your way through the maze of the corporate world?  Who will help you fill in the gaps?

Many young professionals, especially African-American professionals just starting their careers, need someone to not only brief them about their employer but also serve as their career coach and guide. They needed a mentor. And you need one, too. “In my entrepreneurial endeavors and my political career, mentors are the reason I’m where I am today,” says Keith C. Harris, president of Quest Advertising, Inc. and chair of the 16^th Ward Political Task Force in Chicago, Illinois. “But it would have helped to know how to go about finding a mentor early on; I could have avoided a lot of mistakes.”

It sounds simple enough. But how do you go about getting the attention of a more seasoned professional to help you along the way?  How do you get that person you admire to recognize you -- and remember your last name? And where do you go from here?

The Role of a Mentor

The term “mentor” is used quite often, but what exactly does a mentor do?  “A true mentor motivates you and impels you to move to the next level, mobilizes you by advising you on how to get there, and finally, like a guide, a mentor informally monitors your progress to make sure you are moving in the right direction,” says Jacqueline D. Heads, academic advisor for the Rutgers University College of Pharmacy in New Jersey.

Mentoring is important business. It is labor-intensive and time consuming. It’s not an easy task for busy professionals to assume, which is why they are selective with who gets their time and attention. However, every day senior-level executives, in one way or another, make time to help the young professional who catches their eye. So the question remains – once you land your first job, how can you “catch the eye” of that influential person? How can you find a mentor?

Finding a Mentor

The phrase "finding a mentor" is a bit misleading. It’s not a protégé’s place to “find” a mentor. Instead, you place yourself in a position for a mentor to find and advise you. But before a mentor can "discover" you, he or she first has to know you exist and be aware -- and convinced -- of your professional potential. So how do you go about ensuring that the right people know who you are and what you’re capable of?  The following seven points will help you get started:

1. Be productive. There’s no getting around hard work, especially when you’re just starting your career. Earn the reputation as a person who gets results. But don't just be a doer. Be a visible doer. Work hard and smart. Efficient work habits are important, but make sure you work on the right projects and committees -- the ones that will increase your chances of being noticed by potential mentors.

2. Be professional. This is where all of those professional development articles you’ve read in THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine pay off: always maintain an air of professionalism, regardless of what others do. There is no substitute for manners and common courtesy. Operate by the Golden Rule and treat others the way you want to be treated; the spirit of reciprocity goes a long way in a person’s professional development.

3. Be progressive. Take the initiative. Seek meaningful and visible assignments. More importantly, look for ways to do a job better. Volunteer for projects and committees. Look for ways to cut costs – becoming known as a person who saves the department money and time is a sure-fire way to increase your chances of being noticed by a potential mentor.

Become an expert in some aspect of your field. Be the person your colleagues consult when there's a glitch in their computer. Or the one who can, at last minute’s notice, write a press release about the department's new product. Maybe you're a great speaker -- when the department head needs someone to make a presentation, let your name be the first to come to mind.

4. Be positive. The cliché is true – enthusiasm is contagious. In the decades preceding the current millennium, the infamous buzzword in many corporations was “downsizing.”  Now the popular term is “reorganization.”  And amid the air of uncertainty that permeates the many offices and companies today, an energetic young professional is like a breath of fresh air. Possessing a positive outlook is important.

Exuding a positive attitude also entails interacting with your colleagues from a position of strength, especially during stressful times. True professionals take responsibility for their successes and failures -- and they're the ones who get the attention of their superiors. Remember, victims get a person's sympathy, not his/her secrets to success.

5. Be personable. Networking is another catchphrase of professional development, and regardless of which career path you choose, having contacts is the name of the game. Let's face it – being positive is important, but everyone is not the “life-of-the-party” type. However, having a pleasant disposition does not take a lot of effort and can make an impression on others. Someone always knows someone who knows someone. And that someone may know your future mentor. So take the risk and introduce yourself, and remember to smile.

6. Be prudent. A lot of emphasis is placed on knowledge and information, but very little is said about the importance of wisdom in one’s professional development. It takes wisdom to make sure you’re in the right places with the right people at the right time. It also takes insight and perception to know when to speak up and when to hold your peace. Senior-level executives respect young professionals who exercise prudence in the decisions they make and in the alliances they form.

7. Be patient and persistent. Quite frankly, securing a mentor does not happen overnight. More often than not, a mentor and protégé more or less gravitate toward each other over time. Although it may seem like no one notices your efforts and accomplishments, don’t give up. Continue to follow the aforementioned tips. When done correctly and consistently, it will only be a matter of time before you gain the attention of a possible mentor and develop a relationship with him or her. Then the two of you can begin working on moving to the next level of your career.

Maximize your college experience by becoming fully involved – get to know your deans and professors, become an active member of student organizations relevant to your interests and career pursuits, and interact with students, staff, and businesses within your college community. By doing this, you will not only further develop the aforementioned skills, but you will be more likely to come in contact with that mentor who can help you in the future.

"If the truth be told, although the process is deliberate, the product is more coincidental," says Jacqueline Heads. "I tell my students to concentrate on being the best professional they can be. Sooner or later, someone will notice and guide them the rest of the way. As the old proverb says, ‘when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.’"

Cheryl F. Wilson is the director of Student Activities at Douglass College, Rutgers University in New Jersey.