Catharina Boehme: Mentors can really make a difference during our professional journey.
Quoting Catharina Boehme, Assistant Director General of External Relations at World Health Organization, on LinkedIn:
“Mentors can really make a difference during our professional journey. I’ve been lucky to have several during my career, always at the right time. My Board Chairman at FIND Mark Kessel. My IMD Professor Michael Watkins. But what does it take to be a good mentor? Frankly speaking, I’m trying to figure it out.
Recently I was invited to be part of a mentorship programme. I was very happy to be asked, but also I don’t have a training on “how to be a mentor”.
The short answer is: we will be learning together. We will discover in which areas I can be helpful. My mentee is an inspiring young medical doctor. So many possible career paths are open to her, so many junctures ahead of her. I am looking forward to listening to her, to ask questions, to share perspectives, and to learn from her. For the young professionals out there, I encourage you to try to find your mentor.
It might not be easy to find your ideal mentor at the first try (people we can learn from are busy, have a life, families..), but by expressing interest, we can maybe point you in the right direction. And if you’re already a mentee — help us help you! Let your mentor knows what works for you and what doesn’t.
Make the most of the mentoring program:
- Share your interests and expectations with your mentor.
- Express your curiosity to learn more.
- Chalk out an agenda with your mentor.
- Be open to feedback and provide feedback.
- Keep in regular touch with your mentor and follow up even if he/she is busy.”
Source: Catharina Boehme/LinkedIn.