Tired of hearing the same few pieces of career advice over and over? Are you looking for more guidance in being a woman pursuing a career? You’re not alone.
When I polled my instagram followers about what they’d like to see more of in 2020 here on LLB I had a surprising (to me) number of people ask me to talk more about work & career advice. So, I sat down and started thinking about what I had to offer on a topic that I do feel is covered a lot. What guidance or unique perspective could I offer. What came to me is the one piece of career advice that I feel like no one is really talking about that, in my legal career, is what I think has made the most difference in helping me achieve such success at a (relatively) young age.
The one piece of essential career advice that I think no one is sharing is:
Get a mentee.
That may seem like unusual advice for growing and advancing you own career, but I can’t emphasize enough how important it is. Many people talk about the importance of getting a mentor, which definitely is important, but they don’t speak enough in my opinion about getting a mentee.
No matter how junior you are in your career, there is always someone more junior. If you’re in your first year, there’s someone interview to start. No one talks about getting a mentee until/if you become someone senior but there is no reason to wait that long and there is a huge benefit to your career in having a mentee all the way up in your career.
You’re probably asking why having a mentee is beneficial to your career. It’s beneficial for a lot of reasons. For one, in having a mentee you end up teaching them and in so doing you realize just how much you know. As a young professional, especially as a woman (statistically) confidence is one of the biggest hurdles to career growth and one of the biggest challenges to overcome. By mentoring someone junior to you you are constantly giving advice and in so doing you’re showing yourself over and over just how much you know. It’s a confidence boost that you don’t realize is happening and this self-confidence can really help you advance in your career.
And look, I don’t know how much of a role karma plays in life but I’d like to think that the more good you put into the world the more you get out. And by giving back by helping mentor someone I believe that you’re putting a lot of good karma into your career world and that can only come back to benefit you. You also never know who’s watching and the impact that can have on you. I’ve become connected to some amazing senior criminal defense lawyers who have given me guidance and given me clients after I came on their radar for being a woman helping other young lawyers and law students. #Karma.
My next work related post is going to be a Career Q&A; so I would love your input! Is there a question you have about growing your career? Are you wondering how to deal with a particular situation at the office? Email me at LegalLeeBlondeBlog@gmail.com! I’ll compile a list of the questions and answer them in this upcoming post.
I think having a mentor is so important!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
It is, this post is actually about having a mentee – Ie someone you mentor, but I do agree that having a mentor is also important- it’s just something that is more commonly talked about when it comes to career advice.
This is great advice that no one ever talks about! Thanks for sharing!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Thanks for checking it out! Hope it helps you in your blogging career!
You know, I realize I don’t have a traditional job, so mentor/mentee relationships are slightly different, but you’ve inspired me here. My husband is always prodding me to begin coaching and I’m always telling him that I don’t have enough followers, enough years under my belt, enough financial stability, yada-yada – but here you are saying that it’s still important to teach, even if you’re a “junior.” And I love that!
It TOTALLY still is! I think it’s even more important when you ‘dont have enough years’ etc. because it gives you the confidence boost you need to keep growing and it helps you become better at your job. You got this babe!!
I’ve always thought having a mentor is important for all the reasons you shared. Sound advice! xoxo, Sarah
Thanks Sarah!!
I love this advice so much! I also love your outfit!!
Kileen
cute & little
Thanks Kileen!!
This is a great idea! It would keep you on your toes and ensure your performance at work is top notch. I love your quote about the good in the world! Helping people is so rewarding.
Exactly! and thank you Candace!! <3
That is actually some really great advice, and while I don’t have a professional career in any sense, being able to impart your knowledge and help others does have that two fold benefit and I could even apply it to blogging.
Chic on the Cheap
Exactly! It totally applies to blogging – helping out an newer blogger is such a kind thing to do – especially as this industry doesn’t have the traditional path to learning how to do it.
Wow! This is amazing! Great advice!
Thank you!!
Love the classic corporate outfit and this is such good advice – I was just talking to my manager about this today! it’s so good to give back and help others in our professional roles! 🙂
Hope that you are having a great week 🙂
Thank you so much! And I’m glad you liked the advice – that’s cool that you and your manager happened to be talking about it!!
I have definitely not thought about having a mentee in this capacity before! This is such a good way to help someone and give yourself more experience 🙂
-xo, Azanique | https://www.lotsofsass.com
Totally!!!
This is such a great idea! My husband is a therapist and they have someone like this that they talk with about. It’s important to have someone to talk too!
That’s so cool!
I never considered how beneficial a mentee or mentor was in a career until I had my own as a teacher!
That’s awesome! Im glad you had such a good experience with yours and found it beneficial
This is such a great look! I Love the classic pieces and black and white style xo Jana | http://www.janastyleblog.com
Thank you Jana!
This is such great advice! This is definitely one of my favorite posts.
Thank you so much Kimberly!
This is my favorite post! I also greatly believe you get back what you put into it!!
Thank you Kim!! And yes, i totally agree with that!