Not every company offers formal mentorship or professional development programs, but that doesn’t mean your growth has to stall if you work at one that doesn’t. In these circumstances, taking ownership of your career requires creativity, resourcefulness and a willingness to look beyond the boundaries of your workplace.
Whether it’s by seeking guidance from seasoned professionals in your sphere or honing your skills through self-directed learning, there are countless ways to get ahead of the curve without the help of a company-sponsored mentorship. Here, 20 Forbes Coaches Council members recommend their best strategies for independently finding mentorship and other development opportunities outside of work.
1. Create Micro-Moments Of Learning With Specific Asks
Be unquenchably curious and specific in your everyday interactions. If you’re in a meeting with someone and see a specific skill or trait you want to cultivate, ask if they would be willing to share with you how they learned to do that thing. Most people want to help others learn and grow if it is bite-sized and specific. Create micro-moments of learning from others ahead of you. – Rebecca Dorsey, The RE Group
2. Seek Out A Sponsor For More Active Support
Professionals can take charge of their development by actively developing their network inside and outside their organization with not only mentors but also sponsors. While mentoring involves guidance and advice, sponsorship is a more active form of support where a senior leader not only advises, but also advocates, creates opportunities and champions career advancement. – Elisa Mallis, Center for Creative Leadership
3. Connect With Someone You Admire
You can easily set up your own mentorship in three simple steps. 1. Identify someone you admire. 2. Let them know you’d like to learn from them. 3. Arrange a meeting to ask a specific question about what you’d like to get some advice on. It’s a little much to ask someone directly to “be your mentor,” but the people you admire and want to learn from will almost always be willing to mentor you with their advice. – Joelle Jay, LRI
4. Identify Personal Growth Areas And Seek Advice
Identify your personal growth areas in terms of IQ (technical skills), EQ (human skills) and FQ (financial literacy). Look for individuals who excel in these areas and reach out with a specific ask, like, “I admire your [specific trait]and would love 30 minutes to seek advice.” This approach is focused, approachable and a great way to start a mentorship relationship. –Ajit Dodani, EmpathifyU
5. Create Your Own Opportunities
Shirley Chisholm once said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Sometimes, you may need to build the whole table. Create networking opportunities, seek mentorship and acquire new skills through shadowing, volunteering and informational interviews. Your proactive determination to achieve your goals will be recognized. – Joyel Crawford, Crawford Leadership Strategies, LLC.
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6. Search For Pro Bono Options
When companies do not offer mentorship or leadership advancement courses, a motivated individual can search for coaches and advisors who work on sliding scales or pro bono options. Where there is a will, there is a way! If a person is self-motivated, there are many leadership books, audio and complementary forums for readers, listeners and participants. Offering to make a trade is also an option. – J.K. Dickinson, J.K. Dickinson & Associates
7. Be Courageous And Express Your Goals And Interests
What sets individuals apart is their courage to ask for what they need. Eager professionals can seek mentorship and development opportunities by proactively reaching out to colleagues, industry leaders or local networking groups. By expressing their goals and interests, they can create valuable connections and resources even without company sponsorship. – Jackie Simon, Jackie Simon Coaching
8. Build Your Own ‘Board Of Directors’
Simply ask. I suggest all my clients build their own “board of directors.” Need help in a functional area? Identify someone who is great at what they do. The same goes for building skills, such as public speaking, handling conflict, managing change and so on. Ask to meet with each individual and develop a rhythm. Come with an agenda of areas in which you seek to learn more and regularly update them on your progress. – Shelley Hammell, Sage Alliance, Inc.
9. Allow Mentorship To Happen Organically
Find someone who is currently standing in a vision you have for yourself. Identify what you and that person have in common. Why does their journey resonate with you? Engage with curiosity. Be of service. Share honestly. The most powerful mentorships happen organically. Put yourself out there, but don’t force it. Allow time and space for the right fit to reveal itself and develop. – Dinorah Nieves, Dinorah Nieves, PhD
10. Take Initiative And Ask Senior Leaders For Guidance
Take your development into your own hands. Leaders respect and admire those who take initiative in the workplace. Since some companies don’t have the development resources, you will need to look outside for what will advance your development. That doesn’t mean you can’t ask senior leaders for informal mentorship and guidance. Owning your own development will serve you well in your career. – Evan Roth, Roth Consultancy International, LLC.
11. Start Your Own Support Network And Mentoring Circle
So many opportunities exist to build a supportive professional network inside and outside of work! Internally or external to their company, a leader may identify sponsors or mentors whom they admire and request informal mentor or sponsor relationships. They can also start their own support network with peers. Externally, mentoring circles can be of great benefit. The key is to be visible and honest. – Lisa Walsh, Beacon Executive Coaching
12. Invest In Self-Driven Professional Development
Tap into professional networks, join industry associations and attend relevant conferences or webinars. Consider reaching out to leaders on platforms like LinkedIn and express an interest in learning. Invest in self-driven professional development—register for online courses, read industry-leading books or participate in community initiatives—to find growth opportunities and showcase your ambition. – Cheri Rainey, Rainey Leadership Learning
13. Be Brave And Of Service To Potential Mentors
Be brave—reach out to people you admire who are doing things you want to do. Ask questions and listen deeply. Follow up with more questions so you can inspire further insight for them. Be of service to them versus looking for something for yourself. Ask them who their mentors are and how they got them. – Darla Beam, Darla Beam Leadership & Coaching
14. Ask People With The Right Skills And Experience
Ask! Look around for people with the right skills and experience, and then find a way to connect. You need a compelling reason to inspire them to want to help, but many people would be only too happy to help, especially if they think you’re serious. Check LinkedIn; it’s a great place to start your search. You don’t need a formal scheme to be mentored, but be prepared to pay it forward. – Ricky Muddimer, Thinking Focus
15. Recognize What You Lack To Build Your Impact
Work on your impact; that’ll bring mentorship and professional development. You’ll begin to see for yourself what you’re missing when you don’t have an impact or attract what’s not working. If you don’t recognize the gaps, you won’t know who to have as a mentor or the professional development you require to obtain momentum. With this preliminary information, you’re ready to ask questions. – Miriam Simon, Mi Sí Coaching and Consulting LLC
16. Volunteer For Projects Outside Your Expertise
Professionals can seek mentorship and development by networking through industry events, joining professional associations or connecting on LinkedIn. They can also leverage free or low-cost resources like webinars, online courses and podcasts. Volunteering for projects outside their expertise and finding informal mentors in their network are effective ways to grow without company sponsorship. – Adaora Ayoade, EZ37 Solutions
17. Expand Your Network; Join Industry Communities
Professionals can drive their growth by seeking mentors through their expanded network. A good place to start is LinkedIn, networking events or industry communities. Consider investing in courses or offering to mentor someone yourself. Reading, attending webinars and engaging in professional groups can also provide valuable learning opportunities without company sponsorship. – Sandro da Silva, Bettercoach
18. Reach Out And Engage With Industry Leaders
The key is to build your own mentorship network by proactively connecting with senior professionals whose career paths you admire. LinkedIn provides an excellent platform for this—reach out to industry leaders, engage with their content and offer value in exchange. Webinars and conferences also offer opportunities to connect with potential mentors who can provide insights and guidance. – Lynn Smith, Lynn Smith Media & Communications
19. Join A Nonprofit Board Or Committee
You don’t need anyone’s permission to learn and grow. If your company isn’t supportive or you can’t afford formal training, explore opportunities with professional organizations. Joining a nonprofit board or committee is a fantastic way to gain experience and find mentors. – Anthony Howard, HR Certified LLC
20. Ask Successful People For Referrals
Successful people know other successful people. If someone you’d like to be your mentor doesn’t have the time to be your mentor, ask them for a referral to someone they think would be a good fit for you. It might take a few meetings to find the right mentor—but you may end up gaining a community of mentors who can help you in different areas. – Karlo Tanjuakio, GLSS + Kure