Our report’s due in a couple of days and it’s the end of our
PR studies at university. Knowing that I will be a part of the industry and
away from our university PR coordinators who are also our mentors, I’ve
increased the amount of blogs and articles I read that relate to our industry
within Australia, America and New Zealand. Recently I came across an article in
PR Week that discusses the importance of mentorships, which I found really
interesting and worth sharing and discussing given our current position.
I know most if not all people around the world who study PR
will complete at least one internship to gain practical experience, but I hadn’t
thought about continued learning in the form of a mentorship, whilst working in
the industry. The article is “Mentorships Greatly Benefit PartiesInvolved: Career Guide 2015” and it discusses
the importance of continued learning from those who have more experience and
wisdom than us newbies. What was most interesting is that the mentorship
relationship should never be with your own line manager whom you work for. The
purpose of the mentorship is to help build our relationships within the
industry - expanding your own network and learning from someone who you admire
and respect away from your current workplace. The Senior Vice President for IBM
in New York, Jon Iwata admitted to asking Johnson & Johnson’s Corporate
Vice President of Public Affairs at the time, Bill Nielsen to mentor him.
I’ve been currently working as a marketing administrator for
a small company and have been contemplating how I will continue my learning
after this unit without having to change jobs just yet and a mentorship seems
to be the answer. I’m curious to know what other interns think about the idea
of finding mentors to learn from. Would you find this to be a benefit for your
career progression and salary increase or more for the knowledge you would gain
that would help you when dealing with colleagues and clients?
Thanks for reading,
Chloe Lucas
3 comments:
Hi Chloe,
In regards to your comments about mentors, from my very first year at University when I completed an internship I gained a mentor.
She has years of experience, was so friendly and through out my whole degree she has always offered to read material I write, to give advice on other internships and goals in the industry.
She always jokes with me that when I make it big, she'll come knocking for a job!
I really do believe that having mentors within the industry is incredible. It not only starts a network of people for you but it gives you an avenue to keep learning even when you finish your degree!
Thanks for your post! I hadn't thought about how lucky I really am to have a mentor in the industry until reading this!
Hi Chloe,
It's interesting that the article you refer to touches on the fact that your direct line manager isn't the best mentor for your progression in the industry- which surprisingly enough I can actually understand and relate to. During my time at my internship I gained a lot of valuable insights but sometimes I feel your direct managers are quite stuck in their ways of management and wouldn't be the best mentor as you said. It's more of a work situation to me. I completely agree with the fact that it's learning from someone who you look up to. Look at Harvey and Mike for example- Mike wants to be like Harvey, and sometimes you might not even like your manager.
I feel like a mentorship would be a good decision- but at the same time I feel like you learn best when you know a little already- and then you're thrown into the deep end and learn where you have to, not choose to. Then again that might just be me.
I'm currently working with my sister who I position as my mentor as I definitely look up to her and want to be able to handle the tasks she is handling, and I find it's easier and more applicable learning. In summary... GO FOR IT !
Hi Chloe,
I absolutely agree with what you are saying, the mentors, tutors and lecturers at Curtin Uni have helped us so much become prepared for such a big step in our lives. However my point of view is that you can only learn so much and that you don't fully understand it until you apply that knowledge in the real world. I never was aware of this mentorship until this blog - so thanks for the insight it is something I will look into :)
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