Find someone with knowledge - Tick
Find someone who is successful - Tick
Find someone who is doing work you admire - Tick
Find someone who can help you achieve your goals - Tick

If you’ve found someone who ticks all these boxes then congratulations, you’ve found the right mentor! Mentors are generally awesome people who are willing to help young people find opportunities for growth. Finding them is the first part. The second part is to make sure you have clear goals of what you want to achieve. And the third part is to take action. Make the move and reach out to them for support, advice or motivation!

When you approach someone online or in real life, you should aim to make a great first impression. Here’s what you can do to stand out:

Do your research – find out as much as you can about them before starting a conversation. Make sure they are the right mentor for you. Talk to them about their interests and passions, not yours. Talking to people about things they love gets them warmed up and open to helping you.

Make them feel important – everybody loves a compliment! Show your appreciation for what they do and let them know what positive impact they’ve had on you. For example, you can start by saying “Hey X, I really admire your realness and leadership skills. You inspired me to use my voice to empower other girls. I would love to ask you a few questions about your life and learn the secrets to your success…”

Listen carefully – If you are meeting a mentor in person, make sure you walk in with your killer SMILE and open ears to take in what they have to say. Encourage the other person to talk about themselves while you listen and take notes. Their advice on how to grow and achieve your goals is invaluable. Try and stay focused.

REMEMBER Safety first! – Don’t meet up with strangers on your own. Ideally, your mentor should be someone you already know but sometimes friends can tell you about other mentors. If you are meeting your mentor for the first time, make sure it’s in a public place. Have an adult close by and a phone with enough credit to make calls.

So, to wrap it up, confidence is key! Don’t be scared or underestimate yourself. Do your research, tell them why they inspire you and listen to them when they speak. Be brave, Springster, and get going!