Mentor Her
Where are the women who are interested in mentoring women? I really want to know. Are we hidden behind family obligations or our ambitions? Sure, I can join an organization and get an assigned mentor. That is always an option, I guess. I can pay yearly dues and hope there is someone available who is willing and able to help me reach my potential without feeling intimidated or threatened by my development. I can hope that my tendency to ask question after question does not tire my teacher. I can hope that my unique personality and analytical expressions would be accepted and appreciated. Yes…I could join an organization, pay my dues and hope, but is that my only realistic option?
A few days ago I had an all-too-real conversation with a friend in which we pondered this very thing. Over the years, I have had a number of these kinds of conversations with various people. Mostly we talk about it from a professional standpoint, but not always. The older we become, the more areas of life we add. (Funny how that happens.)
It is no secret that the good ol’ boy network has been around for a long time. We see the advantages of its intricate operation and wonder…do we have that type of collective mindset, that kind of organized application, in the professional arena? When we are in decision-making positions, are we looking to advance the careers of our sisters? Are we sharing information amongst our gender about promotional job opportunities, business contacts, and networking events that would help us reach higher and reach back farther? In life, do we look to uplift one another, to help each other accomplish goals? If not, why not? We should.
