Business mentors needed!

If you were not aware, January is National Mentoring Month. Mentoring is something that is near to my heart. I have created two mentoring programs and led a couple more. I think mentoring is so very important and is in line with the “it takes a village” belief for growth in a person. I am continued pursuit for the right mentor for me – in the meantime, I will preach the gospel of being a good mentor.

For 2010, I have been mulling over some mentoring possibilities to influence younger people without neglecting my own children or family. Some possibilities for business professionals to mentor include (listed in order of increasing responsibility):

1. Join leadership or speak at meetings of local professional or college professional development groups. Members of these groups seek new information at every monthly meeting. Information you are able to provide would increase their knowledge in an area in which they may sorely lack. Making an appearance on a regular basis (which could be quarterly), may give others the picture of something to strive after.  
   
2. Volunteer with or sponsor a local Future Business Leaders of America and/or Junior Achievement chapter. These organizations are ripe with young people who are vested and interested in business. They would be an open audience for what you do. You could also simply  volunteer with your local school district.
3. Become a Girl Scout or Boy Scout Leader. Scouts participate in a variety of activities to shape their character. They usually meet once per week, and engage with one or two leaders in their club. I suspect commitment would be a couple of (shared) hours per week.
4. Become a Big Sister or Big Brother. This would involve one on one mentoring of a child who has been deemed in need for this type of attention (not necessarily “at-risk”). Commitment is about four dedicated hours per month. 
5. Foster a child (or two). Good foster parents are in dire need throughout the country. Welcoming a child into your home… your sanctuary… one who is likely experiencing major turbulence at home… could do more to shape their lives than any other experience they have had thus far. Usually there are no additional financial expenses for bringing a child in your home and typically you will receive payment (one reason people do it who really shouldn’t be). You must consider the implications for anyone currently in your home but I’m sure the experience would be rewarding for all involved – in some way you will grow and so will that child.

Beyond these formal opportunities, there is always the informal prospects of making sure you speak to your siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, and neighborhood kids on a regular basis – let them know what you do, how you got there… share stories that they can relate to like people used to do way back when. 

While I mull over some of these possibilities, I am also seeking out a mentor. I am identifying people who have a career similar to what I want and possibly similar life circumstances. My plan is to contact them, introduce myself, and propose a relationship (or ask several questions that can help me get closer to my goals). This would be after I put together a profile sheet so that I have a clear understanding of why the person would make a good mentor for me. 

If you have a mentor and you have not taken the time to thank them, please use this month to do so. Actually, January 21 is  Thank Your Mentor Day. Write a blog post, take an ad out in the newspaper, post a video on Youtube or just give them a phone call to share your appreciation for the influence they had on your life.

Do you have ideas for how to become a mentor or solicit a mentor(s)? Please share.