First Tentative Steps

I feel that I've started my mentoring relationship at a really good point in my career. I've only been in insurance for approximately three years. I've worked hard to make sure I have a good foundation of education and experience. So I feel I'm at a point where I'm ready to progress beyond my entry level position. I'm ready to take my career in a new, focused direction. 

Exactly what my mentor can help me with.

There are so many people in my world that I think would be great as a mentor. But my mentor and I have chosen each other. My new mentor was already working with me to help guide my choices, in IAIP. Now I'll get to have her input in the rest of my career.

My mentor is Margie Brown. She is the gal who fits all my requirements. Margie is a member of my local association. She has several years experience in the insurance industry, a great sense of humor and a view of the bigger picture.  Margie is not dismissive of  my ideas and is ready to help me think them through - giving me the honest and helpful guidance I'm looking for.

I'm looking forward to having her input and insight to my unique issues. We've been spending time together in our Confidence While Communicating (CWC) class that she co-instructs. We've also had our first mentoring meeting over a long lunch at a small bistro restaurant that a catering company opened up for business lunches. The topics we discussed included where I was in my career, what kind of professional relationships I have and where I would like to be heading.

One of the ideas I'm very interested in is possibly conducting classes on a regular basis. I like the idea of teaching insurance and business classes. I've already conducted a presentation at our local association on the topic of "Work Life Balance" but that was before the speaking class, and it was a presentation rather then a class. The CWC classes are the beginning of this interest for me. Margie picked up on this and has given me the assignment of choosing a class from the available IAIP topics and giving that class to our local association. I won't be able to give the class until one of next year's IAIP meetings, but that will give me the time to choose a class and study the instructor's book.

My mentor and I will be talking on the phone and meeting again soon to review my progress and have another of those long talks. I'm looking forward to it.

Where the Journey Begins

I am always on a journey. I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is too interesting to be held back by fear or indecision. As much as I have, and do, enjoy my destinations, I spend most of my time reveling in the trek. With as much roving as I've done through life, at times I need a little GPS help. I'm in need of some of that help right now. I'm having a hard time seeing the forest through my cubicle trees.

I have never been in a mentoring relationship before, so the first thing I need to figure out is what I'm really looking for in that relationship, and where I think it should lead my insurance career. I also need to decide who I think might be a good match for my career goals & personality. I hope my choice in mentor is open to helping me, and has the available time to dedicate to the task.

Hmm, what am I looking for?

I need a sounding board. Are my ideas any good? Am I on the right path?

I need an attitude check. Am I taking suggestions from my weekly department meetings too personally? Should I be looking towards the greater goals of my company?

I need constructive criticisms. Maybe I need to take a business writing course. Maybe I need to put more effort into dressing professionally. 

I need a little direction in taking advantage of industry trends. Which trends are flash in the pans? Which trends could help my insurance career? An experienced mentor could teach me how to identify and evaluate industry trends.

That sounds like a good start. Now, to find a mentor...

Who should be my mentor? Naturally, I'm thinking of someone I work closely with or someone from my association. But it occurs to me that my mentor could come from anywhere, like a neighbor, a relative or a previous co-worker; as long as I've already established a relationship. I'm considering someone who responds reasonably quickly to email & voicemail and appears to have time to spend with me. I also would like someone not known for gossip or speaking too freely where they shouldn't. Someone whose ideas and knowledge I respect. I need someone with a vision towards the future and a knowledge of industry trends. 

Most important to me would be their attitude. I need a mentor who not only laughs at my jokes (just kidding) but who will listen to my ideas and either help me build a bridge to my goals or help me understand why those goals may not be the direction for me.  Someone positive who doesn't immediately jump to the limited "that can't be done" mode of thinking or is stuck in the "box".

This all sounds like a tall, possibly unreasonable definition for an insurance career mentor, but I think I can find that person.