June is when Masschallenge, matches mentors with startups, which made me think about the importance of mentoring. As you know, mentoring can have a profound impact on one’s career. I have been on both sides, as a mentor and as a mentee. As a mentor you are the sounding board, you are there to provide advice, critique, and help get your mentee to the next level; be it on the product side or on the professional side. As a mentee you need someone you trust to guide you through uncharted territories, someone who understands your needs and can help get you there.
One might ask, why is mentoring important for product managers? Product management is an up and coming profession that is just starting to get recognized. Since product management is practiced in a variety of ways, it is easier to consult with someone who has been there, done that. Experienced mentors who have worked at multiple companies can share their knowledge with their mentees, as they understand what it takes to get products from a concept to reality. They have tried and (hopefully) succeeded, and hence, can help ease and/or shorten that cycle for newcomers.
Mentors can advise on career development as well. When is it time to ask for the next promotion? When is it time to move on to another company and seek more responsibilities? Having a trusted mentor who can advise and guide you to your next career is invaluable. So if you are an aspiring product manager, seek a mentor. If you are an experienced product manager, please mentor someone. But don’t forget that you can always learn something new, so consider having your own mentor as well.
One might ask, why is mentoring important for product managers? Product management is an up and coming profession that is just starting to get recognized. Since product management is practiced in a variety of ways, it is easier to consult with someone who has been there, done that. Experienced mentors who have worked at multiple companies can share their knowledge with their mentees, as they understand what it takes to get products from a concept to reality. They have tried and (hopefully) succeeded, and hence, can help ease and/or shorten that cycle for newcomers.
Mentors can advise on career development as well. When is it time to ask for the next promotion? When is it time to move on to another company and seek more responsibilities? Having a trusted mentor who can advise and guide you to your next career is invaluable. So if you are an aspiring product manager, seek a mentor. If you are an experienced product manager, please mentor someone. But don’t forget that you can always learn something new, so consider having your own mentor as well.
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