It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything here but recently as I was reading thru some articles, I started to re-evaluate my position at my company and realized that I could be moving at a much faster pace professionally if I had a mentor or at least someone I can emulate into greatness.
I find it difficult to try and create opportunities without the help of a knowledgeable manager in my job area. I report directly to the VP of Finance which has no technical expertise whatsoever. I mean, she’s a great boss but the only thing I can learn from her is “soft” skills which I realize in itself is a valuable lesson but I don’t aspire to be like her, professionally or personally.
My goal is to be a successful CIO. I’ve set myself on that career path but I’ve done it alone and it’s freakin’ difficult without much, if any guidance. I’ve always been the type which absorbs as much info as possible from all different types of people and try to emulate their good qualities and listen to their mistakes so I don’t make the same ones. So far, I think I’m doin’ pretty good.
The problem is that there is no one at my present job that I want to be like. Maybe my CEO because she’s a really forward thinking, dynamic person but again has no technical expertise. Not to mention I have limited access to her. Although in her defense, I suppose running an $18M non-profit business and answering to an “old-school” mentality board where half the members have very little if anything to do with our operations, can keep you a little busy.
So I’m in a position where now I have two direct reports, a database admin and a helpdesk support tech and I’m trying to be a good mentor to them but I’m finding it to be very difficult without having a good mentor for me. Couple that with the fact that this is my first real managerial position with two guys to manage and you can see the situation I’m in.
I love my job and the people I work with. I’m constantly praised for the work I do and the support my department provides for our internal staff which keeps me going at 110% everyday but as far as professional development goes, I’m on my own.
I did have a few people who I considered to be my mentors but I’ve since moved away and only have contact with them thru email. I still go to them when faced with a difficult situation but it’s not the same as watching someone you aspire to be like to handle that situation in person.
What about you? Who is your mentor? What have you learned from them? Could you be where you are without them? How important is a mentor to you?
-T
