Finding the right mentor can be a game-changer for your professional growth. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, considering a career change, or have 20 years of work experience — the guidance of a mentor is a powerful tool.

A mentor can provide the intellectual and emotional support you need to point yourself in the right direction. They can also help you make lifelong professional connections and figure out how to achieve specific goals and milestones.

Here are some of the personal and professional benefits you can expect with a mentor –

Greater Confidence

A mentor’s perspective can erase the doubts that come with unanswered questions, giving you a sense of confidence in your decisions and direction. You’ll also get the confidence you need to take risks as a mentor can play the role of both a coach and a teammate.

Better Professional Decisions

A mentor is someone similar to you — just with a few more years of experience. They can share their past challenges and the decisions they made, making it easier for you to replicate their successes and avoid their mistakes.

Balance Work and Personal Life

With work, there’s always something to do – projects to develop, solutions to implement, and research to do. A mentor can help you decide when to turn off your professional self and devote time and energy to your family and friends.

Mentorships can give you insight and guidance to exciting new steps in your professional journey. It can lead to a promotion, a new job, or better work-life balance. And, while they eventually come to an end, the right mentor-mentee relationship can make a lasting impact.