Ever since I became an adult, I’ve always wanted a mentor.
There are mentorship programs available out there. In Vancouver, the Women’s Enterprise Centre and the Minerva Foundation matches women starting businesses with women who have years of experience in similar fields. I think these organizations provide a great service - someone to tell you what to expect in your new business, teach you better systems and techniques and help you avoid the pitfalls, etc. I am sure there are similar programs for men and that any big city would have some available as well.
But although I would welcome and appreciate a mentor to help me with my career (I have applied and am waiting for a match), ideally, the kind of mentor I am looking for, is not just for business. I am looking for an older sister/aunt figure, someone I can look up to and possibly emulate in life. If I were 8 years old, I’d go to Big Sisters Foundation, but I am well over that age.
But why? Growing up as the eldest child in my family, I felt I did not get enough guidance while growing up. I had no big sister or positive older role model that I could look up to and go to for advice if I needed it. And boy, did I need it! Especially during my dark years as a teen. Now that I an adult (and more level-headed) I realize I still need this guidance and am hoping to find someone with a lot of life experience I can talk to and trust with anything.
Just like business, life gives you many challenges at any age. And just like a business might hire a consultant for help with more efficient ways to run the business, alternative income streams, better methods of making revenue, why not do the same for your personal life? Your mentor could save you some time, maybe some money and possible heartache by listening to his/her life experiences.
And just another point, North American culture does not value older people, older women especially. We might all do better if we took the time to learn what they can offer and then innovate and adjust to suit our current lifestyles.
