Kathy Gilbert is an experienced executive management consultant and QUT career mentor! Since 2006, she has supported students and graduates with career development and the transition from study to the workforce through QUT’s Career Mentor Program. She shares why being a mentor is a valuable experience for both personal and professional growth.
Mentoring is a reciprocal relationship, where both the mentor and the mentee benefit. Your skills are valued, important, and indeed vital to others for their growth and development. In turn, mentoring presents a structured opportunity for personal reflection and growth.
Mentoring also helps to expand your leadership skills for the new and different challenges you will encounter in your career.
Having mentored many students and graduates over the years, I have experienced the benefit of these relationships in my own professional development. Here are three great reasons why you should become a mentor as well.
1. Develop your professional portfolio
“The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority.” – Kenneth Blanchard
Mentoring provides new opportunities to grow and develop. One of these is in the area of influence.
Organisational norms include staff members and teams, underpinned by organisational structures, policies and procedures. Those working in project related fields or managing volunteers know very well how difficult it can be to lead where there is no implicit authority.
When it comes to practicing our leadership skills in influence, mentoring – particularly in a structured, supported program – is an opportunity to gain this experience.
2. Build your leadership skills
“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flow charts. It is about one life influencing another.” – John C. Maxwell
While some may like to think of themselves as self-made men and women, in truth, none of us got to where we are today on our own. I know very well that I did not get to where I am today without a multitude of mentors and coaches.
The many and varied challenges in the job market, career development, learning our personal strengths, how we fit in, and how are talents are best used, all take time and attention. If we didn’t have mentors, where would we be?
Your experiences are unique and valuable, especially to someone who has never been where you’ve been.
Mentors can support CV development, interview skills, networking, personal development and, every once in a while, are able to help an exceptional mentee on the path to a great job.
3. Give back
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
When you are a student, you can often rely on your classmates for support.
You may look to senior colleagues, executives, specialised consultancies, and executive search firms for career support in the workplace.
During my career, I have received invaluable support from senior managers. There have been times I have felt there is literally nothing I can give back to them. However, I found the delightful solution to this dilemma is that, while I cannot repay those individuals, I can give back by mentoring others in a similar way.
There really is nothing like mentoring for giving back.
More about Kathy
Kathy is a leadership coach, management consultant, and long-time QUT career mentor. She has over 15 years’ experience in business transformation, complex projects, and change management. Visit Kathy’s website to find out more.
Connect with Kathy on LinkedIn
Interested in becoming a QUT career mentor?
Join the QUT Career Mentoring Community! Launching in the second half of 2021, this flexible, online platform allows mentors to answer student questions ‘in the moment’ or connect with them and other mentors via discussion boards. This year-round program is ideal for alumni who may be unable to commit to a structured mentoring arrangement but open to answering questions and providing advice online as required.