Mentorship Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Career Puzzle (Even for Seasoned Pros)
Finding a Mentor and Building Nurturing Relationships
(Read time 9 minutes)
A true story from a recent client… Sam had been stuck for months. They knew their corporate job wasn’t it anymore, but every job board search left them more overwhelmed. Climate work felt like the right direction—if only they knew how to get there.
They tried everything. Scrolling LinkedIn, hesitantly messaging old colleagues, second-guessing every move. But the longer they waited, the more doubt crept in. What if I’m too late? What if I don’t have what it takes?
Then, finally, a shift. They reached out for guidance. A senior lecturer in regenerative practices at their local university, a mutual acquaintance suggested they talk. And in that conversation, things clicked. They didn’t need to start over—they just needed a clearer path.
Mentorship gave them more than advice. It gave them confidence, direction, and the courage to take action. Yes, the ‘mentor’ was in academia, but hey had sector knowledge, patience and a fresh perspective. Some insights you just can’t get alone.
In this post, we’ll explore why mentorship matters, how to find the right mentor, and how to nurture that relationship to unlock your full potential.
Navigating a significant career change—whether into climate change careers, sustainability roles, or other meaningful work—can feel like trying to cross a river without a bridge. A mentor is not the bridge itself, but they can certainly point you to the stepping stones hidden just beneath the surface.
Finding and developing a mentoring relationship is one of the most effective ways to move forward with confidence—especially in areas like transitioning into a career in climate change or sustainability
The Importance of Finding a Nurturing Relationship
When you’re making a bold career shift, it’s easy to get lost in self-doubt or uncertainty. This is where a nurturing mentor can be transformative, particularly if you’re exploring sustainability job opportunities or trying to enter the growing field of climate change careers. (And yes, those two terms are cynical SEO add-ins. Gotta reach the people I want to help right?).
The right mentor provides not just knowledge and guidance, but a safe space to challenge your assumptions, develop clarity, and grow.
Let’s introduce the Johari Window, a simple but powerful tool for understanding why mentorship is so important. The model breaks self-awareness into four quadrants:
Open Area: What you know about yourself and others also see.
Blind Spot: What others see in you that you don’t realise.
Hidden Area: What you know about yourself but haven’t shared with others.
Unknown Area: What neither you nor others have discovered yet.
A good mentor helps you navigate your Blind Spot by reflecting back what they observe—your strengths, your potential, or even your unhelpful habits. They also nudge you into your Unknown Area, encouraging exploration and growth in ways you might not have dared to consider alone. This makes mentorship not just helpful, but essential, particularly in moments of reinvention.
Reflecting on Positive Relationships: What Makes Them Work?
Before you dive into finding a mentor, take a moment to look back. Think about the positive, nurturing relationships you’ve had in your life—whether with a teacher, manager, colleague, or even a friend. What made those relationships work? What qualities did they bring out in you?
Here’s a quick exercise: List three people who have supported or guided you in meaningful ways. Ask yourself:
What did they do to help you grow?
How did they communicate with you?
What did they see in you that you might not have seen in yourself?
You’ll likely find common themes—maybe it’s their ability to listen deeply, challenge you constructively, or offer reassurance when you doubted yourself. These insights will help you identify what you’re looking for in a mentor and guide how you approach the relationship.
How to Identify the Right Mentor
Not all mentoring relationships look the same. As a mid-to-senior career professional, you might assume mentorship is always about learning from someone with more experience, but there are different types of mentoring that can add value at this stage of your career:
Traditional Mentoring: Learning from a more experienced professional in your desired field who provides guidance and insights based on their career journey.
Peer Mentoring: Connecting with professionals at a similar career level to exchange support, accountability, and insights from different industries or backgrounds.
Reverse Mentoring: Learning from someone younger or with different expertise, particularly in areas like digital transformation, sustainability innovations, or emerging industry trends.
Group Mentoring: Being part of a mentoring circle where professionals share experiences and learn from multiple perspectives at once.
The mentor or mentoring framework you need depends on where you are in your journey and what you’re trying to achieve. Here are a few criteria to consider:
Alignment with Your Goals: Does this person have experience or insights related to the career path you’re exploring?
Shared Values: Do they approach work and life in a way that resonates with you?
Availability: Do they have the bandwidth to offer guidance, or would their involvement be more sporadic?
Willingness to Mentor: Have they shown an openness to supporting others? Not everyone who’s inspiring is suited to mentoring.
Remember, a mentoring relationship doesn’t need to have all the answers.
Sometimes, the best mentors are those who ask the right questions and help you uncover the answers for yourself, whether you’re pursuing a career pivot or exploring climate change job opportunities.
Making Yourself Appealing to Potential Mentors
The mentor-mentee relationship is a two-way street. If you want someone to invest their time and energy in you, it helps to show that you’re worth it. Here are three steps to make yourself more appealing to potential mentors:
Be Clear About Your Intentions: What are you hoping to gain from the relationship? Specificity is key here. For example, instead of saying, “I want career advice,” you could say, “I’m exploring roles in sustainability and would love your insights on transitioning into this field.”
Show Commitment to Growth: Demonstrate that you’re proactive and willing to put in the work. Share examples of how you’ve already taken steps towards your goals, like attending events, completing relevant training, or starting personal projects.
Be Grateful and Respectful: Acknowledge the value of their time and expertise. When you approach them, frame your request with appreciation and humility.
Here’s a simple script you can adapt when reaching out:
Subject Line: Seeking Your Advice on [Specific Topic]
Hi [Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I’ve been following your work in [specific area], and I deeply admire your [specific qualities, e.g., expertise, career journey, or values].
I’m currently transitioning into [field or role], and I’m looking for insights on how to navigate this shift. I wondered if you might have 15-20 minutes for a brief chat where I could ask for your advice? I’m especially keen to learn about [specific topic].
Thank you so much for considering this—I truly appreciate your time.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Reflection Time: Who Could Be Your Mentor?
Once you’ve clarified what you’re looking for in a mentor, it’s time to get specific. Write down the names of three people you could reach out to—perhaps someone already working in sustainability or with experience in climate change career opportunities. These could be:
Someone in your existing network, such as a former colleague or manager.
A connection on LinkedIn whose work inspires you.
Someone you admire but don’t know personally (yet).
Don’t overthink it—the goal is to start somewhere. Even if they aren’t the right fit, they might introduce you to someone who is.
Building and Nurturing the Mentor Relationship
Finding a mentor is just the start. The real work begins in building and nurturing the relationship over time. Here’s how to do it well:
Be Prepared: Come to every conversation with specific questions or topics you want to discuss. This shows respect for their time and keeps the relationship productive.
Take Action: When your mentor offers advice or suggestions, act on them. Nothing demonstrates commitment more than following through.
Share Progress: Let your mentor know how their guidance has helped you. A simple update like, “I tried what you suggested, and here’s what happened” goes a long way.
Respect Their Boundaries: Mentors are busy people. Be mindful of how often you reach out, and don’t expect them to be available at a moment’s notice.
Express Gratitude: Always thank your mentor for their time and insights. A handwritten note or small gesture can make a lasting impression.
When and How to Move On
Not every mentorship lasts forever, and that’s okay. Sometimes, the relationship naturally evolves or comes to a close when you’ve achieved your goals. When this happens, express gratitude for their support and keep the door open for future connection.
Your Action Plan: Steps to Finding and Building a Mentor Relationship
To turn this advice into action, follow these steps:
Define Your Mentorship Goals
Identify what guidance you need. Is it industry insights, networking help, or career strategy?
Write down three key challenges you’d like a mentor to help with.
Make a List of Potential Mentors
List three people you admire in your field or adjacent sectors.
Consider different types of mentoring, including reverse mentoring and peer mentoring.
Use LinkedIn, alumni networks, or professional groups to find more candidates.
Craft Your Outreach Message
Use the provided script as a starting point.
Personalise it by mentioning shared interests or mutual connections.
Keep it short, clear, and respectful of their time.
Prepare for the First Meeting
Have 2-3 key questions ready.
Be clear on what you hope to get out of the conversation.
Show genuine curiosity and appreciation.
Follow Up and Build the Relationship
After your first chat, send a thank-you note.
If the conversation went well, ask if they’d be open to staying in touch.
Offer value in return—share an article, introduce them to someone useful, or support their work.
Track Your Progress
Keep a simple log of key takeaways and next steps from each conversation.
Reflect on what’s working and adjust your approach if needed.
Expand Your Mentorship Network Over Time
Relationships evolve; stay open to new mentors and different types of guidance.
Pay it forward—consider mentoring others as you gain experience.
By following these steps, you’ll move from intention to action, ensuring you find the right mentor and develop a strong, mutually beneficial relationship.
BONUS:
Mentor matching sites and resources:
https://thewipexpertdirectory.super.site/
https://info.skilledin.green/en/mentorship
Final Thoughts
Finding a mentor and building a nurturing relationship can be one of the most rewarding steps in your career journey. It’s not just about gaining advice or guidance—it’s about having someone in your corner who believes in your potential and helps you see it too.
By reflecting on what you need, identifying the right people, and showing up as an engaged mentee, you’ll create a relationship that’s as impactful for them as it is for you.
Now, it’s over to you: Who will you reach out to today?
