Mentoring as an educational tool in the retail sector: a growing role

As a student at college who wants a career in retail, it is helpful to be mentored by an expert in the industry. A mentor can help to support and guide you to achieve your professional and personal goals.

You can get a fresh, honest perspective on your career path and leave the academic environment more prepared for the real world.

Businesses are transforming at a very quick pace, and the retail industry is looking very different from what it looked like even a few years ago. Having a mentor is more necessary than ever before in history if you want a career in retail.

What can a mentor do for you?

Competition is fierce, and it can be hard to get your foot on the career ladder in retail when you graduate.

A mentor helps to show you the way, avoid the worst mistakes, motivate you, and hold you accountable. The earlier you find a mentor, the more impact it will have on your career and life.  

Today a degree alone doesn’t guarantee you a job. You need to have real world skills such as problem solving, decision making, communication, marketing and much more.

If you can demonstrate your insight into and understanding of the retail industry, you are more likely to impress in your interviews than fellow candidates. 

Learn from mentorship experience essay examples

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How to find a mentor 

Finding the right mentor can be a challenge. It is an active process that requires you to take some initiative.

You can find a formal mentor through a mentorship programme. Many companies today work together with universities and colleges to offer mentorship programmes. This makes it easier for you to find a suitable mentor to help guide you while receiving an education. 

There are various online services that will help to match you with a professional mentor. You can also go to industry trade shows or conferences where you may meet a potential mentor.

You may even know an experienced person in the retail trade that you can approach to be an informal mentor to you.

Participating in a mentorship programme can take some of your fears of going into the retail industry away.

You can get industry guidance and a better understanding of the type of strengths and skills you will need to succeed in the world of retail.  

What to look for in a mentor

You will want to look for a mentor with whom you believe you can establish a good rapport. If the person has similar values to you, it can help.

The person should be a good listener and have the time to help you. You will want someone who is supportive and empathetic but who can also be direct and honest with you. 

You want to receive the type of feedback that can help you to grow. Someone who is passionate about retail trade will obviously be more likely to impart their enthusiasm to you. It can help if your mentor has a network of experts in retail. 

Build a good relationship with a mentor 

A mentorship relationship is not all about taking. The relationship should evolve naturally and be beneficial for both parties.

You can prepare a list of relevant questions to ask a potential mentor before your first meeting. This will give a mentor more idea about what kind of help you need and jumpstart the conversation. 

You need to be prepared to be challenged and commit to the process. Mentoring is as much about what you put in as what you receive from it. If you work on building and sustaining a good relationship with a mentor, it will be invaluable in your future business or career in retail. 

Conclusion

When it comes to bridging the divide between getting an education at college and being successful in the retail sector, mentoring has a vital part to play.

It can transform you into someone who is well prepared to face the real world. A mentor will impart important industry advice and help you to build all the knowledge and skills you need to succeed.  

Author’s bio

Emma Rundle knows the responsibilities of a freelancer writer well.

She researches, references previous papers and uses the internet intensively to find the core of the topic in question.

Her research ability and keen eye for detail make her one of the top writers in the academic arena.