Nurturing Creativity: A Guide to Becoming a Mentor

Ready to invigorate your creative career in 2024? Consider being a mentor – because nothing says “I’ve got this” like guiding the next generation.

January is National Mentoring Month, and today, January 17, is International Mentoring Day, so it seems like the perfect time to talk about mentorship.

Featured Image Photo by Desola Lanre-Ologun on Unsplash.

What Does a Mentor Do?

A mentor isn’t just a title; it’s your backstage pass to shaping someone’s career journey. Beyond the technical skills, you’re the guru of confidence, creativity, and solving life’s mysteries. You can create a safe space, share tales from the creative crypt, and sprinkle wisdom like raindrops.

So, what’s the time commitment? Normally, a mentor meets regularly with a mentee – in person or virtually, weekly or monthly. That’s up to you.

Did you know? Mentorships aren’t just for beginners. A mentorship can help you navigate a new stage in your career or a change in focus.

Reasons to Become a Mentor

Pass on your knowledge! Because sharing your genius feels great!

Sharpen your Skills. There’s no better way to learn something new than to have someone ask you how to do it.

Personal growth. Help a young person refine their skills while gaining a fresh perspective yourself. Keeping informed about what the young professionals are learning in the field can keep you ahead of the curve if you are concerned you may be aging out of the industry. Think of it as a creative fountain of youth!

Increase equity and diversity within your field. Everyone has potential, but opportunities to unlock that potential are not always equal. Mentoring can make a difference for those who don’t have access to as many options.

Build a stronger community. Remember when you were a young pup in the industry? It can be intimidating to connect with professionals. Bridge the generational gap, connect rookies with seasoned pros, and watch your community grow.

Qualities and Responsibilities of a Mentor

Expertise. Your mentee will have questions, and you will have answers. It’s important to have a strong foundation in your specific field before taking on a mentee. Your expertise will help with goal planning and feedforward, or anticipating roadblocks that your mentee may encounter.

Communication skills. As with any relationship, it’s important to be able to convey complex concepts in a way that is clear and understandable. Active listening skills are a must and the mentor must be approachable so that the mentee can express their thoughts and opinions without judgment.

Cultivate Trust, the Secret Sauce of Mentorship. It’s important to establish confidentiality with the mentee. Keep meetings private. And, of course, be punctual to meetings!

Feedback. Offering constructive criticism requires empathy and patience. If you’ve cultivated a relationship of trust with your mentee, it will be easier to help the mentee accept criticism. Share your creative fumbles and your weaknesses and embrace the art of learning from your mistakes. Your mentee’s journey will have potholes – navigate together with empathy and patience.

How to Find a Mentorship Program

There are many ways to find a mentorship program. For example, you can attend industry-related webinars or join online forums. Make sure that you research the mentorship program and choose a program that aligns with your personal goals and preferences.

Alma mater. Your college’s mentorship program – because where better to find mentee proteges than your former stomping grounds?

Online programs. A quick Google search or search of a platform dedicated to your craft may have a mentorship program. One non-industry-specific website to find mentorships is mentoring.org.

Industry mixers and events. Attend local user groups, industry events like NAB or SIGGRAPH, or even webinars to find a mentorship program. You will find gold where creatives mingle.