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Hey ladies. I'm in the process of transitioning into clinical practice and my professional networks has mentorship programs. This is helpful as the first year as a health professional is one of the hardest and difficult times. I'm wanting to proactively prepare myself for this new transition.
The program has the option to reach out and "find a mentor" and then be able to email exchange, virtually meet and see if there is a fit.
For those of you who have worked with mentors or mentors yourself what are some vetting strategies and good qualities you look for in a mentor?
Look at what they DO for you, not at what they promise or how important they claim they are. Not even at how nice and great they seem. That's not what this is about.
You will meet a lot of people who talk big game about how important they are and how great their connections are but who will never move a finger to actually help you in a tangible way or even use the promise of doing something for you one day to exploit you.
Someone I consider a great mentor took my hand (not literally, he has never been anything but decent to me) and introduced me to every important person he knew at a big conference and told them about my work when I was still a scared PhD student. Even years later, he still refers people to me and invites me to useful events. I can call him with a problem and be sure he will give my problem serious thought and come up with good advice. That's a mentor.
Not some vain person who talks about how important they are and what they COULD do for you (at some point... maybe.... probably never) and play the big "mentor" because the need the ego boost.
EDIT: To expand this a little more: Ideally, your relationship will become mutually beneficial at some point. They gave you a boost when you were starting out and once you are established you sing their praises when they are up for a great position, recommend them to the right people or something like that. It's not the point to do this out of the kindness of your heart. That's a nice but very naive way to look at it. I am established in my career now and when I look for younger people to boost/mentor I look for people who I like and who I think have the stuff to be extraordinary and excel in our field and thus help me in the future. You are not there to find a new bestie and a mentor is not looking for a charity case. You are both there to find a person you like and get along with who will become a future asset to you.
My personal opinion is to find a female mentor if you can. Meet over lunch or coffee and ask about her career path and any advice. See if you connect personally because if you have a great mentor, you can have a friend for life who can guide you and help you. If you feel comfortable that’s a good start then see how your mentor helps you.