By: Anne Dalton, Wealth Advisor, Regions Private Wealth Management
In careers, we all encounter moments where we need guidance, inspiration or encouragement.
- How do you secure a raise?
- How do you balance the demands of home, family and office?
- How do you make it to the C-suite?
For women seeking to advance their careers, female mentors who have accomplished similar career goals—and overcome similar challenges—can be powerful sources of support.
No two women’s journeys are the same. At Regions Bank, we’ve built a team of professionals and a library of resources to help women address their needs and work toward their goals. Through Women + Wealth, we work to understand women’s unique needs and help them move forward financially with confidence.
Here are a few commonly asked questions about having a mentor.
How Can a Mentor Help Me?
Ideally, a mentor will help you build confidence, solve problems and develop new skills, such as leadership, delegating or advocating for yourself. A mentor can help identify weaknesses and ways to maximize strengths. They can help you find a balance among work, family, children and a social life, and recognize that balance doesn’t mean achieving perfection in each of those arenas but rather working toward achievable goals.
Studies have shown that mentorship leads to positive career outcomes—tangible results like more job offers, salary increases and promotions. That may be in part because mentors not only teach skills and share expertise but also open their network. This can be a vital pathway to accessing more opportunities for career growth.
What Should I Look for in a Mentor?
Your mentor doesn’t need to have the same life experience as you or even work in the same role or field. Most importantly, she will have achieved some of the goals that you aspire to or have a skill you want to learn.
Even outside of a formal mentorship, take advantage of the wisdom of smart and accomplished women you know. Sometimes it can be as straightforward as asking a respected and trusted colleague or manager how you can grow and improve. It may be a formal or informal conversation.
How Do I Make the Most of a Mentorship?
This is a relationship you’ll be nurturing, ideally over months or even years, so don’t rush it. Start by talking about why you’re seeking mentorship, asking for advice and then listening.
A mentor is paying it forward. Be respectful and appreciative of her time. Decide in advance what time commitment you’re asking for and come to meetings prepared with specifics of what to discuss. Even better, contact your mentor beforehand with questions or concerns to maximize the time together.
Today, women are creating more small businesses than ever, increasing representation in the C-suite, investing more outside of retirement, and caring for children and parents at the same time, among many other unique challenges that call for careful planning. Having a mentor can provide valuable perspective and support.
To learn more, visit www.regions.com/wealth-management.
