Be a Mentor – Find a Mentor
Much of economic development is learned on-the-job making mentorship a powerful and important tool for our profession. If you are experienced, be a mentor and coach someone through a challenging project, advise on a career move, or be a sounding board for new ideas. With 39% of economic developers reporting plans to retire in less than 10 years, there will be a whole new cohort of developers to support. If you are new to economic development, find a mentor to help advance your career.
“Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living—if you do it well I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing the way. A mentor.” — Denzel Washington
To be a mentor or find a mentor connect with your state, regional, and national association. These are the associations with which Creative EDC is actively engaged. Click on an association listed below to see additional information.
Reach out to the Creative EDC team if we can help you connect with mentor resources. In addition to being connected with professionals in multiple states , we sponsor the Women’s Economic Development Network and are affiliated with professional development programs with associations and universities.
Be a Mentor
Are you an experienced economic developer, a guru, a wise owl? Are you a fount of information? Do you like to help young and new professionals grow in our field?
Find a Mentor
Bounce ideas, find support for a career move, talk through the options for a sticky project– a mentor can be a career saver.
| Characteristics of a Mentor | Characteristics of a Mentee |
|---|---|
| 1. Approachable, available, and able to listen 2. Willingness to commit time to a successful mentorship 3. Enthusiasm for the profession 4. Values ongoing learning and professional growth 5. Provides guidance and constructive feedback 6. Establishes and meets ongoing personal and professional goals 7. Values the opinions and initiatives of others 8. Motivates others by setting a good example | 1. Able to define career goals 2. Eager to learn 3. Drive to succeed 4. Initiative 5. Positive attitude 6. Clear communicator 7. Appreciates and uses feedback 8. Willingness to try something new, fail, learn and try something new again |
Top 5 Things Crystal Learned from Her Mentor, Bob Comer
- Showing up Matters
- Write the Minutes Before the Meeting (i.e., be prepared)
- Careers Last a Lifetime
- Develop Your Network
- Always, Always Respond to People
And since Bob was a retired Navy Capitan – If you are not early, you are late!