Types of Career Support
| Role | What They Do |
|---|
| Mentor | Gives advice, shares experience, helps you think through problems |
| Sponsor | Uses their political capital to advocate for you — gets you opportunities |
| Coach | Asks questions, helps you find answers — doesn't give advice |
| Peer | Mutual support, accountability, shared context — your squad |
Finding a Mentor
| Channel | Approach |
|---|
| Within Company | Skip-levels, senior ICs in adjacent teams — start with a specific question |
| Industry Events | Follow up after talks: "Your point about X resonated — can I ask one follow-up?" |
| LinkedIn | Comment thoughtfully on their posts for weeks before DMing |
| Formal Programs | ADPList, Plato, org-specific programs — structured, but lower commitment |
Being a Great Mentee
| Principle | Practice |
|---|
| Come Prepared | Send agenda 24 hours before: 1-2 specific topics, not "what should I do?" |
| Take Action | Implement advice — nothing frustrates mentors more than inaction |
| Share Wins | Close the loop: "Your advice on X led to Y result — thank you" |
| Respect Time | 30 min monthly is plenty — don't over-ask. Quality > frequency |
Pro Tip: Don't ask 'will you be my mentor?' — it's like asking someone to marry you on a first date. Instead, ask for 20 minutes on one specific topic. Let mentorship grow organically.