Mentorship is Not a “Nice to Have” – It’s a Career “Must”

You work hard, and you’re an excellent team member, but you’re not being promoted as quickly as you would like. If this sounds like you, it could be that you’re missing a key component of moving up the ladder – mentorship.

Consider connecting with a mentor or finding a mentee. It can make the difference between a good career and a stellar one.

Mentorship benefits mentees, mentors, and companies because it can lead to higher levels of career satisfaction, retention, and promotions. Statistics bear this out:

• Employees who received mentoring were promoted five times more often than those who didn’t have mentors. (Source)
• People who served as mentors experienced lower levels of anxiety and described their job as more meaningful than those who did not mentor. [Source]
• People with mentors are happier at their current jobs than those without. [Source]
• Both mentors and mentees were approximately 20% more likely to get a raise than people who did not participate in the mentoring program. (Source)

Despite the clear evidence that mentorship is a game-changer, and 84% of Fortune 500 companies have established formal mentor programs, only 37% of professionals have a mentor. BIPOC professionals face an even greater hurdle to mentorship, with studies showing that they do not have access to the same mentorship opportunities to help fuel their careers as their white counterparts.

Regardless of what is holding you back – whether you’re afraid to reach out to someone you don’t know to ask for career support or you’re concerned about committing the time and energy to serve as a mentor – remember that being mentor or mentee is an investment in yourself and your career growth.

Take Charge of Your Future

For more leadership guidance, consider participating in the Rise Leadership Program. This three-month virtual program is dedicated to helping mid-career women move their careers forward by focusing on their own leadership strengths. Rise is built on the premise that leadership starts from within. Learn from leadership experts and executive coaches as you develop an authentic leadership style that suits your skills and personality. Interested in being part of our next cohort? Apply now!