Why everyone needs a mentor at work

If you haven't got a mentor yet, you should try to find one. (ShutterStock)

If you don’t have a mentor yet, it’s time to jump to action!

If you don’t have a mentor yet, it’s time to jump to action. Because whether it was Drake for Lil Wayne, Maya Angelou for Oprah Winfrey or Steve Jobs for Mark Zuckerberg, even famous and successful people had a mentor for some time in their lives.

If that doesn’t convince you, here’s another list of reasons why everyone needs a mentor at work.

They advise you

A mentor is an unbiased (e.g. not your parents) third party that can provide advice where needed. They usually have more experience with certain situations and may notice potential in you that you might not have seen in yourself yet.

They provide knowledge and resources

A mentor can introduce you to knowledge in the field. They will help you to discover certain opportunities or helpful methods to advance your career which you didn’t know existed.

They are your personal advocate

A mentor will have your back. They are your protector from missteps and will defend you when you do make a mistake. They will also claim and share bragging rights for all your achievements and will plead to the right people.

They are your personal cheerleader

A mentor will be your own personal cheerleader watching you from the sideline. They will praise your accomplishments and motivate you to do even better.

They help you to be passionate

A mentor will pick you up when you are down and light the fire inside you. They remind you about your passions and to be passionate about what you’re doing and the brand you are representing.

They push you to learn

Mentors will get you to learn new skills, even before you need them. They will prepare you for future rolls by pushing you into the right direction. You’ll be ready for your next big gig in no time.

They are a friend

A mentor will not only provide you with life-long career advice but also with a warm friendship. They will be your big brother or sister in arms and always want the best for you, professionally and personally.

They know what it takes to succeed professionally

A mentor has been there, done that and got the t-shirt. They have the experience that is not written in text books and can exchange career tips with you. They know what it takes to get to the top and they are the best resource for all your questions.

They provide you with network opportunities

A mentor has had a longer time and more opportunities to build a very useful network and will open the right doors for you. As mentee and protégé, you will be able to access a wealth of knowledge and resources you as a junior couldn’t get to yourself.

They motivate you

A mentor is the best motivator you can have. They will challenge and encourage you to do more because they see the potential in you. They push you to go further and refuse to let you settle in your ways.

You are more likely to succeed

It has been scientifically proven that mentorships have very powerful effects on mentees. You get more confident, have fewer worries, will be more motivated, develop quicker professionally and you will be promoted five times more often than people who never had mentors. 


A mentor will help you to advance your career, and so will the online courses of our partner Udemy. Browse them here.