The Digital Jersey Mentor Programme provides a structured way to find a mentor, and to find the right mentor, which is particularly important if you don’t feel well connected in the digital industry yet.
Whether you’re a school leaver (18+), graduate, experienced professional wanting to develop or change career, or an entrepreneur, a digital mentor can add significant value and help take your career to the next level. Here are just some of the reasons why:
1. Professional development
A digital mentor will help you to stay focused on your career aspirations by setting realistic goals, ensuring they are achieved and giving constructive feedback along the way. Your mentor can help you uncover professional blind spots, empower you to negotiate an employment contract, and spot development opportunities, enabling you to thrive and succeed.
You may even become a mentor yourself in the future; many of Digital Jersey’s mentors will have been mentored at some stage in their career, which speaks volume about how rewarding a mentoring relationship can be.
2. Encouragement
You may already get motivation from family and friends; however, this won’t compare to the advice and encouragement from a mentor who is able to truly relate to your situation. A good mentor will challenge and encourage you to push yourself to achieve your goals, forcing you to remove yourself from your comfort zone. One of the keys to career growth is being able to adapt to new environments and taking constructive criticism on board.
3. Access to a trusted sounding board
A mentor will act as a confidential sounding board, providing you with a safe place to bounce off ideas and make decisions about certain situations. They will have your best interests at heart, allowing for honest and open discussions about how you can improve and refine your ideas.
4. Expanded network
Having a mentor can multiply your professional network and when it comes to advancing your career, this is extremely helpful! Digital Jersey’s mentors are well connected with other digital professionals on the Island, giving you the opportunity to meet and interact with other influential people you may not have otherwise had the opportunity to meet. If your mentor doesn’t have experience with a particular problem you might be facing, they will most likely be able to connect you with someone else who has. Ultimately, these connections could lead to openings and possibilities in the near or distant future, for example, a job, collaboration, or investment.
5. Increased self-confidence
Self-confidence is a key factor in professional success; imposter syndrome, shyness and self-doubt can be huge barriers for many to overcome. A mentor can help you find effective ways to build your confidence and develop the skills you require to succeed. This can include decision making, problem solving, communication strategies and listening skills – all of which are critical, no matter where you’re at in your digital career.
Don’t just take it from us! Mentees who have been matched with a mentor through the Digital Jersey Mentor Programme are constantly providing us with feedback on how beneficial mentoring has been:
It’s easy to sign up to the Digital Jersey Mentor Programme as a mentee and be matched with a relevant mentor. Providing us with as much information as possible about your background, idea(s), and subjects you’d like to discuss will allow us to identify a mentor quickly.
If you’d like to discuss anything before signing up as a mentee, please do not hesitate to contact Hayley Routier via [email protected]
