Respect your mentor’s time

Traditionally, mentorships are free. Good mentors sincerely want to share their knowledge and help others succeed. Like other people, they have careers, families, and hobbies. When they decide to give their time to you, your job is to make the most of this experience while respecting it.

Schedule meetings in advance so that both of you are on the same page about time. Of course, unexpected things may come up, but try to avoid any last-minute cancellations. Ideally, notify mentors at least a few hours before the meeting if you need to reschedule the session.

To make the most of your time spent in discussion, come to each meeting prepared with questions and goals. If you receive advice, put it into practice and share your ups and downs. Meetings are your best chance to get insights into challenging topics. You certainly can ask these questions over a social media app or messenger, but you won't receive instant or detailed replies.