Why Mentoring is Critical for Success in Today’s World
I couldn't help but swell with pride as I watched my mentee, Divya, take the stage at the annual graduation ceremony hosted by the Financial Women's Association (FWA).
Divya and I were invited to share our thoughts on what makes a mentorship flourish. Her journey had taken her from Baruch College with a degree in finance to the doorstep of a new job at Moody's.
During her speech, Divya graciously acknowledged my role in helping her navigate the intricate web of career decisions. Over the course of our two-year mentoring relationship, she realized that her path needn't follow the traditional financial career trajectory.
Divya is a force of creativity and a born leader. Beyond her finance major, she was deeply involved in a classical Indian dance group and held a leadership position in the Women in Business group on campus. A previous stint at an internet start-up had sparked her curiosity, leaving her with a burning question: What kind of work would truly resonate with her?
The search for the right summer internship seemed daunting. Divya cast a wide net, applying to various positions without much success. Fortunately, the FWA mentorship program offered a lifeline. We attended two enlightening sessions—a personality assessment workshop and a panel discussion on unconventional career paths for finance graduates. These sessions catalyzed introspective conversations. Some of these conversations happened while we ran around the city, visiting various sites and sampling different cuisines.
Divya reflected on the tasks that brought her joy, the people she loved working with, and the work environment that invigorated her. Her passion lies in research, data analysis, and crafting innovative solutions within a collaborative setting that encourages feedback and growth.
The epiphany came when she realized the significance of the work environment. With this newfound self-awareness, Divya approached her internship search with greater purpose, asking deeper questions. Her interview with Moody's revealed an attraction to analytical work and a warm, collaborative culture she had previously overlooked. The summer at Moody's was an overwhelmingly positive experience, leading to a full-time job offer.
As I celebrated Divya's journey, I couldn't help but reflect on my first mentee from the Baruch program, whom I'll refer to as Andreeva. She, too, was a finance major who initially took a job at a major bank to appease her parents, despite my reservations about its suitability for her. Six weeks in, she mustered the courage to quit, a decision that initially disappointed her parents. Yet, she followed her passion for travel and found fulfillment in the hospitality industry—a path her parents eventually accepted.
Andreeva expressed immense gratitude for our conversations, recognizing that they gave her the strength to make a difficult decision and assert her own desires rather than conforming to parental expectations.
Looking at other recent college graduates among my friends and family, I've observed a common theme. Many are either struggling to start their job searches or, after a year of trying, find themselves waitressing or working at summer camps. They want and expect to find a really good job. Our society places excessive emphasis on landing a prestigious job merely to project an image of success.
This emerging generation yearns for meaningful work and a life that resonates deeply with their values. A recent Wall Street Journal article underscores the need to uncover what truly fulfills us and brings happiness. The article suggests conducting a "meaning audit" and listening to our intuition and inner wisdom.
Achieving this requires a profound understanding of oneself, a process often best facilitated by a mentor. If you know of young individuals on the cusp of graduation, I encourage you to inspire them to seek mentors through your network, their high school or college, or programs like Toastmasters or career counseling companies like Get Five.
If you are considering mentoring, remember that expertise in a specific field isn't necessary. The vital qualities are listening, asking insightful questions, and building a supportive relationship. What truly matters is providing a safe space for mentees to embark on a self-discovery journey and uncover the nuggets that define their future. And, in the process, you might also discover a few things about yourself.