Six Reasons Why You Should Have a Mentor in Your 30s

For us ladies in our 30s, navigating the complexities of the workplace while striving for personal and professional fulfillment can be a lot. This is precisely where having a mentor becomes invaluable. In the journey of career growth and professional development, the guidance and support of a mentor can be a game-changer. Think of having a mentor as a friend, but much more. This person offers wisdom, guidance, and a nurturing relationship that can help you to shape a successful and fulfilling career path. In this blog post, I’m sharing with you six reasons why having a mentor is so important and how this invaluable relationship can propel you towards your goals in career and life.

Here’s Why You Should Have a Mentor in Your 30s

Gaining Perspective and Expanding Horizons

At our current stage(s) in life, and that can encompass a lot, career decisions become more critical and choices more significant, but like no pressure or anything. To help navigate, your mentor can provide a fresh perspective based on their own experiences and knowledge. They can help broaden your horizons, challenge your assumptions, and encourage you to explore new opportunities. Their guidance can help you navigate through career crossroads and make informed decisions that align with your long-term goals. I personally find that bouncing off ideas to my mentor is one of the best ways for me to come at a work-crossroads from a few different directions. She challenges me to approach work issues from a different angle because she’s a third-party or removed from the situation. I also feel that a mentor’s opinion is usually unbiased, which is so important, too!

Tapping into Your Mentor’s Experience and Wisdom

A mentor brings a wealth of experience to the table. They have already weathered the storms, faced challenges, and achieved milestones in their own careers. As women in our 30s, we can (and should) benefit immensely from their insights, lessons learned, and wisdom gained through years of professional experience. A mentor can help you avoid common trip-ups at work. They provide advice on overcoming obstacles, and help you develop skills and strategies that will propel your career forward.

A mentor can be a storyteller, too! I love grabbing lunch with my mentor and listening to her stories of how she once was “my age” trying to navigate the workforce. Its fun to swap stories and share what has worked for the two of us!

Building a Strong Network

Networking is a crucial aspect of career growth. I think this can be applied to any industry, too. Your mentor can introduce you to their network, which can include industry leaders, influencers, and other professionals who can offer valuable opportunities. By connecting with people through your mentor’s network, you can expand your own professional circle, open doors to new career prospects, and gain access to valuable resources and knowledge.

With that said, my mentor really pushed for me to join WTS, which is a society for advancing women in transportation. Joining this network has fulfilled a lot for me career-wise. I’m so glad I listened to my mentor on this one. The connections I’ve made, the career lessons learned, and the opportunity to join the Colorado chapter board has truly been life-changing!

Nurturing Confidence and Self-Belief

Self-doubt and imposter syndrome can plague even the most accomplished professionals. I’ve definitely struggled with this, and catch myself still struggling from time to time. Your mentor acts as a cheerleader, providing constant encouragement and support. I think that is so important! We sometimes don’t always receive the recognition we deserve at the office. Your mentor will show you love, I guarantee it!

Now, hear me out… they can also help you recognize your strengths, acknowledge your accomplishments, and boost your confidence. By having someone believe in you and your potential, you are more likely to take risks, embrace challenges, and pursue ambitious goals.

Personal and Professional Development

Your relationship with your mentor doesn’t have to just be about your career. A mentorship relationship is such a great opportunity for personal and professional growth. Your mentor can offer up guidance in identifying areas for improvement, acquiring new skills, and enhancing existing ones. They can recommended relevant courses, workshops, and resources that align with your goals.

I’ve learned a lot about myself from having a mentor. She’s taught me a lot that I now apply to my personal life, as well. She’s even showed me the way on just starting my day off right (seriously, no checking emails for the first hour or so of your day).

Your Mentor Knows Best: Balancing Work and Life

Saving this one for last, but I think this is the most important! As women in our 30s, achieving work-life balance becomes seriously so important. A mentor who has successfully managed their own work-life integration can provide valuable insights and strategies. They can help you prioritize and set boundaries, ensuring that you maintain your well-being while pursuing your career aspirations. See above for comment on checking emails first thing in the morning!

I think that 2020 really gave us a tough run when it came to work/life balance. I find that when I work from home, I’m working well past normal working hours or breaks are less frequent. Listen to your mentor on this one! I know they’ll have killer advice and say the same thing!

Final Thoughts on Having a Mentor

In the chase of finding, fulfilling and succeeding in our career, the support of a mentor is unmatched. At any stage in life, a mentor can provide guidance, wisdom, and support as you navigates the challenges and opportunities of the professional world. By having a mentor, especially in your 30s, you gain perspective, tap into experience, build a strong network, nurture confidence, and achieve personal and professional growth. Embracing the power of mentorship can be a transformative step towards unlocking your true potential and crafting a career that aligns with your aspirations.

Don’t take a negative look on having a mentor, or see them as a crutch. Their guidance, support and even friendship will be so rewarding and fulfilling (for both you and your mentor).

♥

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