Why (and When) You Really Need a Mentor
If you spend time scrolling career advice online, you’ll see one phrase over and over: “Find a mentor.”
But the advice is often vague. Who exactly should you be looking for? When is the right time to seek one out? And why does mentorship matter so much in the first place?
Here’s the truth: you don’t always need a mentor. In fact, if you’re unclear about your direction, or if you’re hoping someone else will hand you a shortcut, mentorship won’t help much. What you do need first is clarity — about yourself, your goals, and the questions you want answered.
But once you have that? The right mentor can be a career accelerator like no other.
Why Mentors Matter
The right mentor can compress years of learning into a fraction of the time. They help you:
Avoid avoidable mistakes. You don’t need to touch every hot stove to know it burns.
See the bigger picture. Mentors give you context, the “why” behind decisions.
Open doors. They connect you to people, projects, and opportunities you wouldn’t find on your own.
Grow faster. They challenge your thinking, build your confidence, and sharpen your instincts.
In short: a mentor helps you see further than you could on your own.
When You Need a Mentor
Not all stages of your career require mentorship. But there are critical inflection points when having one makes all the difference:
At the start of your career. When you’re trying to navigate culture, expectations, and early decisions that shape your trajectory.
During a career pivot. When you’re switching industries, roles, or geographies and need someone who’s made similar moves to guide your transition.
As you step into leadership. When managing people or strategy for the first time, a mentor helps you shift from “doer” to “leader.”
When you’re ready for acceleration. If you’ve plateaued, the right mentor can help you spot blind spots, refine your strategy, and take the leap forward.
How Mentorship Really Works
Mentorship isn’t about finding a single guru to follow. It’s about building a set of relationships — people who are a few steps ahead of you in different ways. Think of it as your “mentor portfolio”:
One mentor for career strategy
One for technical expertise
One for resilience and mindset
One for networks and connections
Each helps you with a different piece of the puzzle. Together, they create the support system you need to grow.
How to Start Without Making It Weird
Here’s the mistake many people make: they go out “looking for a mentor.” That word can feel heavy and intimidating.
Instead, think smaller:
Reach out for a 20-minute chat.
Ask thoughtful questions.
Follow up with gratitude and later, with updates.
Over time, let the relationship grow naturally.
The best mentorships don’t start with a label. They start with a conversation.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a mentor at every stage of your career. But when you do need one, the right mentor can shift your trajectory in ways no class, online course, or job description ever could.
They’re not there to hand you answers. They’re there to give you perspective, challenge your assumptions, and help you see what you can’t yet see.
Mentorship isn’t a transaction. It’s a relationship. And the best ones grow when you’re ready to listen, act, and invest in the journey.
This essay is adapted from Appendix A11 of my book, The Career Remix. A practical GPS for professionals navigating today’s world of work.
