Noah Cirincione
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Hi
Hi, I wrote this article on Mentoring. Mentoring is especially
important for those just graduating, but sometimes, we can all use some advice
from an expert in your field. Read below to see how to find a Mentor or to
contribute as a Mentor yourself. Good luck and let me know if I can answer
any questions.
MENTORS STEER GRADS TO
SUCCESS
By Noah Cirincione
In The Graduate, a 1967 classic film, Dustin Hoffman plays
a college graduate who returns home to Southern California and finds he is
unable to commit himself to anything. He floats in his parent’s pool staring
into space. Many who will be graduating this spring find themselves on the same
crossroads—having spent an enormous amount of money for their education, yet
feeling lost and unprepared for the current job market. The reality is that the
unemployment rate still hovers at 5.6% (Tella) and corporations are still not in
a hiring mode. During these trying times, a mentor giving career advice can
give a fresh slant on the situation and direct a graduate to a successful career
path.
These are difficult times: positions which were eliminated
in the last two years have not be re-filled, as companies have been able to
achieve higher worker productivity: increasing 3.5% in the first quarter of 2004
which followed an amazing 9.5% increase in 2003 (CNN.com).
Graduation caps will be flying in the air soon. The new alumni will be laughing
and going out to nice dinners. But when the party stops, those who have gone out
of their way to solicit career advice will not be left standing alone on the
floor.
Dara Amboy, a manager at
Cedars-Sinai Medical Network and member of
Advance Mentoring, states, “My
Mentors had a profound effect on my career choice. They helped by
providing me with career choice guidance and the opportunity to network within
my specific field. From someone who has benefited greatly from my Mentors, I can
only hope to provide that type of benefit to someone else.”
Mentors can help provide an experienced view of what a
graduate is going through and can suggest areas to focus such as choosing the
right position or company and learning a hands-on view of the industry. This
extra insight will give any graduate the leg-up on the competition.
Mentors vary considerably: some can help with a specific job function or skill
(i.e. working on one’s public speaking), while others can provide industry tips
(i.e. looking to get the inside scoop on the accounting business?). If you can
find a mentor that is the right fit, he or she can add tremendous value to a
career plan. For someone looking to become a marketing analyst, imagine the help
of having a marketing executive as a mentor. The executive can provide real-life
examples of what the job is like, suggestions of top marketing firms to target,
contacts in the industry, and tips to thrive.
You may be asking yourself, “Yes, all that seems great, but how can I find a
mentor?” Good question. Traditionally, mentors were found through family friends
and contacts at peers and family’s work. So, chances are slim you will find one
through your own means. But, now you can turn to: Advance Mentoring (http://www.advancementoring.com).
Advance Mentoring revolutionizes the process of finding a mentor by creating an
online web portal where mentors and mentees (those looking for a mentor) can
meet. Basically, a mentor steers your life towards success.
Some of the major benefits of this innovative site allow
one to search for a mentor in specific industries and professions while also
providing a vast array of resources to help through the process of finding a
mentor. Searches can also be based on company, school, degree, location, and
professional/charity affiliation. Advance Mentoring is an online community where
all can interact in the forum, online chat, and special “Ask the Expert Mentor”
sessions where a business leader answers questions on specific topics.
Through Advance Mentoring, one can find a mentor to get any graduate, as well as
those looking to get ahead, the skills and insight to succeed in a career.
Having someone who has been in that entry-stage before to help make business
decisions is truly an invaluable resource. Advance Mentoring also provides
mentoring for those in advanced degree programs also, such as masters and
doctorate in law, medicine, business, science, and the arts. Currently, they
have mentors in over 40 countries and in more than 45 industries.
For those who are more seasoned in their careers, or even with just a few years
of experience, joining as a mentor is a compelling option. Mentoring is
incredibly rewarding: giving back to the community to truly benefit the career
of another. Also, mentors are able to broaden their professional networks and
practice management skills as they advise their mentees. One can even mentor
someone from the same alma mater or charity for more of a connection. Advance
Mentoring also recognizes that some people feel they can offer help to others as
a mentor but would also like some advice for themselves so the company allows
members to be both mentors and mentees.
So if you are a new graduate, young in your career, or a seasoned professional:
now you have one place to turn for all your mentoring needs: Advance Mentoring (http://www.advancementoring.com).
Advance Mentoring can be contacted at
info@AdvanceMentoring.com or
(206) 202-4654
Citations:
Tella, Alfred. “Whither U.S. unemployment?” The Washington Times.
http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20040510-094310-2230r.htm
CNN.com. “Productivity, worker costs rise.”
http://money.cnn.com/2004/05/06/news/economy/productivity.reut/index.htm
Please Stop by my page and say, "Hi."
Noah Cirincione
Have a great day!'
Noah
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