Your Guide to Being a Better Mentee in 6 Simple Steps

I’m a big fan of professional mentorship programs. I’m an active member of several — both as a mentor and a mentee, including currently serving as a…

• …mentor in the American Marketing Association’s Atlanta chapter
• …mentee in the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals network
• …mentor in the University of Georgia’s alumni mentor program

You don’t need an official program to get connected to or learn from a mentor. All it takes is the courage to find a willing professional and ask them to meet occasionally. It doesn’t take a ton of time on either person’s part, but I have learned a few things about these relationships.

In both my time as a mentor and mentee, I’ve learned a few things about how to make these connections successful. Since I enjoy giving back, I figured I’d share these ideas with you in the hopes that they enrich your professional networking and encourage you.

1. Take Initiative

The initiative should almost always originate with the mentee. There are some stellar mentors who take the extra step to make recommendations or suggestions. But as a mentee, you’re the one learning from them. You need to be the one to initiate the effort.