Mentorship

Mentoring Relationships

During the podcast, Jessie talks about the mentoring relationships she developed and their impact on her career. The clip shows that Jessie’s boss has become her mentor, encouraging her as she takes the next step in her career.

In her description of her mentoring relationship, Jessie identifies several key benefits of having her boss as her mentor:

1. her boss refrains from micromanaging her
2. encourages her by seeing more in her than she sees in herself
3. giving her tips to think about when moving into a new industry

 
The benefit of mentoring is well established. Legaspi (2023) specifies that mentoring another employee helps build an environment of respect, collaboration, and camaraderie, and mentors learn to be better leaders as they grow into their mentoring role.
 

 
Jessie mentions that her mentor was able to shift her mindset from working in the health industry to cannabis by helping to shift her perspective. Again, Legaspi (2023) indicates this benefit:

Along with an expanded network comes an expanded perspective. Many people begin in an industry with certain preconceived notions about what it will be like, what the work will entail, or what the future trajectory holds for them. Mentors can help shape this perspective into something actionable and realistic. (Legaspi, 2023, p. 3)

In addition to being mentored, Jessie continues to mentor others through her affiliation with the University of British Columbia Land Food Systems, where she supports students in their four-year program. She shares her experiences in the field with first- and second-year students and third- and fourth-year students; she supports students with resume writing, interview tips, and tips on getting their foot in the door.
 

How Do I Find a Mentor?

A quick Google or AI search will give you several tips and tricks on finding a mentor. It will tell you to figure out your goals, identify potential people, and then reach out to folks to ask them to become mentors. The reality is that most mentor relationships start as different relationships. Jessie’s case exemplifies how the relationship with her mentor started as her boss. In a sense, Jessie did not actively seek out mentorship; it came to her. Instead of asking how to find a mentor, consider thinking about becoming open to mentorship and then looking for clues. Here are some guiding questions to ask oneself:

1. What am I curious about when meeting other people?
2. Are there people currently offering me advice or guidance?
3. What can I offer others in return for their thoughts and advice?
4. Are there people who I can become a mentor to?

Paying attention to the clues around you can give you insight into a person who could be your mentor. To be effective, having an open mind to individuals who could become your mentor is important. Jessie said, “I had that mindset.” When building relationships, she also had clues! As they built their working relationship, Jessie’s boss offered clues that he would mentor her. Here are some question prompts that may help you tune into the clues around you:
 

Final Thoughts

Successful mentoring is founded on mutuality, where you and your mentor offer help to one another. As you establish your mentoring relationship, build trust, offer gratitude, and listen to their words of wisdom.

Let’s check in with Ade and Mia to see if they have been able to find mentors.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

• Microsoft Copilot was used as a brainstorming tool for the fictional characters used in this chapter.