I am lucky to have many people who take the time to share their knowledge with me, give me advice, support, and straight talk in issues both personal and professional. My sorority network and my school's alum network has proven to be such a stronghold for me; and as an alum myself, I find myself in a mentoring role for young women in my sorority who are getting ready for the real world.

I just had to sit through an entire day of mandatory Air Force "morale boosting" lectures, about half of which were about finding good mentors. No offense, but it was the most boring, Air-Force-hating day of my life and I really wanted to kick my beautiful iMac when I saw this topic. =( Anyways, no, I don't have a mentor.

One of my former bosses has become a bit of a professional mentor. I've never really asked for it, but whenever I see him he shares thoughtful suggestions, encouragement and advice. It's nice to have someone who has worked in your field share their experience because it is less personal than talking with a friend or someone who is supportive, but doesn't exactly "get it."

The mentors I chose aren't industry insiders or anything like that. They are people I can go to when I need to bounce ideas. They'll ask questions and attack problems from different angles, as opposed to those in the industry who will approach problems in the same lame conventional approach.

I do! Both outside of work (an old prof who gives me career and personal advice when I need it) and 3 mentors at work, so far. I get a new one for each project, their "duties" range from teaching me software to helping me through my daily questions . . .they also have become friends that I chat with at work (they are all over 50yrs old and men so it's really funny, very father-daughter which I don't mind at all!) and give me personal and work-related advice too when it comes up.

I have two: one at work and one from my high school days. The one at work I also consider my "work mom" because in addition to offering professional advice and assisting me on projects, she also does things like make sure I've had a good lunch .

No, I'm too independent... I've always been my own person, but I really need one! (My mom always tells me I need a mentor.)

Sorry ahead of time for the long post. I am so glad you posted this topic, I was actually hoping to send you a message regarding this. So perfect timing. I have decided it's about time I find myself a mentor and thought of different ways I could go about it. I was hoping you could help me promote this idea I came up with.

I am sure you have seen the news articles on people who put their lives for sale on ebay or the people that start webpages trying to get donations from people to pay off their credit cards or student loans. And the crazy thing is a lot of the time they end up succeeding. So my idea isn’t asking for hand outs but more asking for guidance. I am proposing a bidding war for a mentor to teach me. Here is the link to my ebay listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/WANTED-MENTOR_W0QQitemZ290258470536QQihZ019QQcategor...

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

You can be your own person and have a mentor. In fact, I think a mentor is one who can help you really find and carve out your professional identity. I have two, and while I'm not always there seeking their advice 24/7, I really admire them for what they've accomplished in their careers and personal lives, so I'm grateful to have them as people I look up to. They're extremely successful and respected internationally within the industry I work in, so it also makes me proud that I've worked with them!

I'm extremely lucky. I work with a wonderful art director who is the jack of all trades. His knowledge of the field has helped me more than anyone could know. I'm very blessed to be working with him as a graphic designer.

I've learned more from him then most of my college professors.

i used to - there was someone that i really looked up to and asked for advice from but now i don't have someone like that in my life and i kind of wish that i did. it's hard when you're trying to make career or life decisions and you want to bounce them off of someone who's not your husband/wife or family.

No, I need one though. I don't have anyone but I seem to mentor a lot of people.

I don't have one now...but I wish I did...but I suppose I'm too dang old to have one now.
I completely forgot that I had one when I was 18yo and got my first job. She was my manager and a great woman who always had a kind word and good advice.

I had a great mentor during college, grad school, internships, and first job. Now I'm at the point where I can sometimes give her advice!