NAPENews Magazine June 2023 Edition

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now and how you're interested in
that field.
Have a Genuine elevator pitch: this
comes from having a picture of
what you really want, and not just
going with the flow of what is and
ensuring you are able to
communicate this clearly in either
oral or written form to your sighted
mentor.
Conferences/Lecture series: Be
p r e p a r e d w h e n g o i n g t o
conferences and other events
where you believe worthy industry
mentors are present. Since you're
not just going to these conferences
for souvenirs, ensure to do proper
research on the conference
theme, lecture topics and know
one or two things about the
keynote speakers so when you
approach your scouted mentor,
you appear well grounded and
mentor-able.
Don't relent on following up till
he/she agrees to be your mentor:
Worthy mentors are generally
busy, they don't just sit around
waiting on you to contact them so, it
is natural to get a delayed response
from them. Keep at it, send new
month greetings, comment on their
posts, attend their lecture series
etc. till you finally get a YES from
them. Exercise caution and refrain
from crossing the line into intrusive
behavior OR however, tread lightly
in your pursuit of knowledge, for
while curiosity is encouraged, let us
remember not to wander into the
realm of becoming a stalker.
Find a way to serve, and you might
naturally attract mentors.
Sustaining the Mentor/Mentee
relationship
Industry Mentorship can be life
changing. Staying in the driver's seat
and being proactive about your
relationship with your mentor is key to
its success.
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Following the right and strenuous
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way of getting a mentor will have
already put your mindset in the
r i g h t w a y t o s u s t a i n t h e
relationship. During your approach
phase, you should have already
recognized your key goals and
objectives, now you must give that
information to your mentor, and
they will use it to lead you towards
the right path. Remember, working
with clear expectations makes the
mentor eager to pour more into
you.
Be prepared when you need to
meet with your mentor: Yes, you're
meeting your mentor for guidance
or advice, but make it obvious that
you've done your own part of the
work and what you couldn't lay
your hands on is what you're
asking of him/her. Your peers are
those that will teach you the bulk of
things to succeed in the industry,
take that information to your
mentor so he can help you steer it
the right way. Don't meet them
waiting for full action points from
them.
Genuine Fellowship: Appreciate
the significance of your mentor's
actions and words, recognizing
their value. Nonetheless, it is not
necessary to mimic their every
move. Instead, demonstrate your
presence and appreciation by
actively participating in their
events, offering comments, and
posing thoughtful questions. This
e n g a g e m e n t s e r v e s a s a
testament to your genuine interest
and respect for the knowledge
imparted by your mentor. Go for
family functions that you're invited
to, wish them well when their family
m e m b e r s a r e c e l e b r a t i n g
birthdays, graduations and other
events. Trust, be receptive and
g r a t e f u l t o c o n s t r u c t i v e
criticism/praise.
Always bring up their names on a
platform: When your mentor shows
you the ropes and you're trying to
pay it forward, recognize them.
During your paper presentation or
your volunteering activities, bring
up their names one way or the
other. They don't even need to be
in the room to do it, just make sure
you give them credit.
Bringing the Mentor/Mentee
relationship to an end:
Mentorship is time-bound, you must
know the time to drop the energy. Just
like you need to get mentors a step or
two ahead of you, you might be on a
new level and need a different mentor
to help stare at this level, make sure
you don't burn bridges while moving to
a new mentor.
S o m e U n s p o k e n r u l e s i n
Mentorship relationships:
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Steer clear of pursuing mentorship
with their circle of friends.
Pay it forward.
There is always a boundary,
recognize these boundaries and
not cross them.
Do not use a mentor just to “Get
Ahead.”
Don't move too quickly into a
personal friendship, if at all.
Some people are lucky to have a
Mentor in the workplace, try to make it
flourish into a mentor/mentee
relationship that extends outside of the
workplace boundary.
For those with a fulfilling mentor,
consider yourselves blessed to have
someone to hold your hands through
this industry and to those that don't, be
willing to pursue a mentor and
wholeheartedly welcome and accept
whatever a potential mentor brings to
the table – be it their valuable time,
valuable resources, constructive
feedback (both positive and negative),
or their unwavering energy.
Wafikah Adaviruku
NAPENEWS JUNE 2023 60