A Dancer's Guide to Seeking Mentorship
The power of a mentor is undeniable. Mentors are guides. They are people who have already walked the path you hope to follow - people who, by sharing their wisdom, can show you the ropes and help you to avoid any mistakes. As a dancer, a mentor is just as important as it would be in any other career field. If you’ve never had a mentor, are not yet convinced that you need one, or just want to understand a bit more about what a mentor can do for you, we’ve created this article just for you! Below, we’ll be sharing the basics of mentorship and, most importantly, how you can find your own.
Who
Who can be a mentor and who can benefit from having one?
It takes someone who is wise, kind, generous, patient, and respectable to be a mentor. A mentor is typically someone older or who has more experience than you, with the expertise, time, and ability to share their knowledge or network with you. Many times, mentors are professionals in their career field, but a dancer who has gone to college can be a mentor to high schoolers, or a dancer who has traveled or auditioned often can be a mentor to someone who has a desire to do the same.
Much like how many people can be a mentor, just about anyone can benefit from having a mentor. If you have a goal, an interest, a hobby, or just enjoy learning from others’ life experiences, you can benefit from having a mentor. Furthermore, at any stage of your life - whether it be from elementary school to post-graduate life, you can and should seek a mentor who can share their wisdom with you and help you reach your goals at any given time.
What
What exactly does a mentor do?
A mentor is someone who shares information about their experience or career path with their mentee. A mentor may play various roles in a mentees life, all of which lead to their mentee’s success. This article by ATS Journals explained how a mentor’s role may be a teacher, a sponsor, an advisor, an agent, a role model, a coach, or a confidante for their mentee. Although the article was written for people who work in the medical field, these roles can easily be translated into beneficial roles for dancers. It is up to you and your mentor to decide what role they’ll fill for you, based on your needs and what they’re willing and able to offer.
Related: Marketing Yourself as a Professional Dancer
When
At what point should you seek a mentor?
While you can benefit from a mentor at just about any age or stage in life, it’s a great idea to begin seeking one once you have a clear understanding of your own goals. Another great time to begin seeking a mentor is when you know you have a big development on the horizon, such as entering high school, applying for college, or working to become a professional dancer after graduation.
You can benefit from having a mentor if you’re having a hard time finding the proper resources or guidance needed to fulfill your goals.
Where
Where should you look for your mentor?
Believe it or not, there are so many people out there yearning to share their wisdom with those who will value and benefit from it. Because of that, there’re several organizations that strive to connect those people with potential mentees. Research these organizations and join them!
Another great place to start seeking a mentor is in your own community. Your mentor could be a family member, family friend, or a member of your church’s congregation. Your future mentor may be a part of your school, your dance studio, or even someone you follow on social media! Tap into these places when seeking your mentor.
Related: Brown Ballerina Ambassador Jaivyn Beauford Discusses The Importance of Having a Dance Mentor
Why
Why you should consider seeking a mentor?
A strong relationship with a mentor can have a lasting positive impact on your dance career, college experience, career journey, and life in general. A mentor is someone who has your best interest at heart. A mentor is generous with their knowledge and advice, without smothering you or pressuring you into a path that isn’t for you. A mentor doesn’t always have to be long-term; there can come a time when the relationship no longer makes sense or is beneficial to either of you. All-in-all, having someone in your corner at any point in your development is a great way to ensure a higher level of success.
How
How do you find a mentor?
While finding a mentor can sometimes happen naturally, sometimes, it takes a little effort on your part to position yourself for mentorship. When you’re ready to begin your search, consider the following 5 factors:
1. Be clear about your goals and values.
Before you start seeking a mentor, have a clear idea of where you want to go, either short- or long-term. It’s important to also consider your values, as you’ll want to seek a mentor who shares them with you or whose methods align with them.
2. Voice your needs.
Put the word out! Start talking to those people in your community that were mentioned earlier. Tell the people you know that you’re seeking a mentor, and see who they can refer you to. If you already have someone in mind, don’t be afraid to reach out to them to spark a mentor-mentee relationship.
3. Get serious about networking.
Attend events where you may meet the mentor you’re seeking. Introduce yourself to people who attend the events. Find out more about those people. Are they a part of an organization? Do they host their own events? By attending, and even volunteering for different events and opportunities hosted by people you admire, you can begin fostering a relationship that allows you to be put in the position to learn from them.
4. Do it for the right reasons.
Do not base your search solely on what a mentor can do for you. Having a mentor is also about building a healthy, helpful relationship that can potentially lead to a lifetime of mutual support and fulfillment for everyone involved. Make sure you’re approaching your mentorship with the same amount of genuine vulnerability and appreciation that you hope your mentor will provide to you.
5. Understand that you don’t need a mentor.
Don’t let any inability to connect with a mentor deter you from your dreams or be used as an excuse not to reach your goals. You can and will succeed with or without a mentor. A mentor may help things go more smoothly, but either way, it’s up to you to do the work along the way!