For a professional, this is a vital question? Whether as a medical student, resident or attending/ consultant, one practicing in general practice or as a medical officer. This is a question we need to ask ourselves at different stages in our careers, this becomes more important for female physicians.
Literature tells us females have fewer opportunities for formal mentoring in most workplaces than their male counterparts. The reasons are not far-fetched. However, the roles of mentors can significantly shift the trajectory of a persons’ career.
Firstly, a mentor has more experience, networks, opportunities, and foresight. A mentor can see sitting what you may not see on a hill. The mentor has probably gone through what you are and will be going through and can readily see pitfalls. Slots for growth via networks, conferences, grants, are more easily accessed when you have a mentor to provide them.
Secondly, a mentor can provide counsel and support, for both professional and other aspects of your life. Sometimes in choosing a specialty or course or higher degree, a mentor can offer counsel from a position of strength based on evidence, experience and futuristic projections. Sometimes, we also need counsel regarding other facets of your life, occasionally your mentor may also be your counselor.
Thirdly, a mentor helps in objectively charting your professional growth. While you may consider yourself to be making strides, your mentor can objectively and constructively assess your body of work, make recommendations and give you an accurate assessment of your growth curves and next steps.
Do you need a mentor, accountability partner, role meodel, support group or research group? Perharps a volunteering group? We explore more of these in our next post.
Thank you for reading.
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‘Tomi
