--- image: https://i.imgur.com/tFW9IxW.png --- # How to Ask for a Mentor We all know it’s smart to think proactively about finding mentors because the right people in your corner can really accelerate your growth. If you’re just looking for someone to give you advice occasionally, I don’t think you need to formally ask someone to be your mentor. The cool thing about this industry is, it’s seems really easy to find people willing to give you advice. - Once someone agrees to meet up to give advice, try to get on the phone or do a video call (or meet in person if possible) because those touch-points will make people feel more invested in you. - Reach out to people you don’t know that share your alma mater that work at a tech company. Often, they will be glad to get the message, and some will connect you directly. However, we know that it can be awkward finding and asking a mentor to help, these articles go into detail on how to do just that: * <https://www.huffingtonpost.com/quora/the-secret-to-asking-for_b_8274052.html> * <https://moneyish.com/upgrade/the-rules-how-to-ask-someone-to-be-your-mentor/> * <https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/how-to-ask-someone-to-be-your-mentor/> * <https://www.forbes.com/sites/sabinanawaz/2015/11/07/9-tips-to-land-a-great-mentor-how-to-ask-a-stranger-for-career-advice/> One of the most impactful mentors is one that’s in the company that you work at, and Nick Caldwell (former CTO of Reddit) has an interesting take on thinking about mentorship vs sponsorship: https://hackernoon.com/stop-asking-for-mentors-and-start-asking-for-sponsors-600288df98be ----- :::success :wave: This guide was originally authored and adapted by Nathan Esquenazi as part of the services offered to students through CodePath.org, a 501(3)c non-profit dedicated to forging an accelerated pathway into the tech industry for all university students. Special thanks to the many students, recruiters, and professional engineers that provided feedback and made this guide possible! :::