When Online Mentoring Is Better Than Live Mentoring
Online mentoring requires a computing device with a connection (wireless or hard-wired) to a network. Online Mentoring Programs utilize a new application of technology that lets people use a computer, tablet or smartphone to interact with and obtain feedback from a “virtual mentor”.
A good quality online mentoring tool matches a learner’s unique needs with the cultures of their organization. MyCareerMentor is an online mentoring tool for individuals who want to grow professionally; learning from mentors who have already experienced success working with people in the workplace.
Under certain circumstances online mentoring is actually better than live mentoring in the workplace. Many human mentors direct mentoring conversations to their own areas of interest and expertise. This is great if the mentee wants to get mentoring in exactly the areas of interests and expertise of the mentor. Otherwise, the mentee might benefit by using an online mentor in addition to the live mentor.
Circumstances in which online mentoring may be of greater benefit than live mentoring include:
The challenge most professionals encounter when entering the workplace, and then trying to progress in their careers, is that there are many skills and much knowledge not taught in universities that is critical for career success. In their workplace, many aspiring professionals find other professionals who can help them with technical challenges, but it can be much harder to discover the other knowledge and skills needed for career progress. Obviously, it is hard to learn and practice what you don’t know, that you don’t know. (In some circles, the term “unknown unknowns” is used to refer to what you don’t know that you don’t know.) The online mentoring app MyCareerMentor has been designed to address these mentoring needs of an aspiring professional, whose education has given them good grounding in their profession.
A good quality online mentoring tool matches a learner’s unique needs with the cultures of their organization. MyCareerMentor is an online mentoring tool for individuals who want to grow professionally; learning from mentors who have already experienced success working with people in the workplace.
Under certain circumstances online mentoring is actually better than live mentoring in the workplace. Many human mentors direct mentoring conversations to their own areas of interest and expertise. This is great if the mentee wants to get mentoring in exactly the areas of interests and expertise of the mentor. Otherwise, the mentee might benefit by using an online mentor in addition to the live mentor.
Circumstances in which online mentoring may be of greater benefit than live mentoring include:
- If the online mentor has a bias about what topics should be addressed in the mentoring interaction, and that bias is not in alignment with the needs of the mentee. A “second opinion” or a different perspective may aid the learner in understanding exactly what is needed from a breadth of ideas.
- The available live workplace mentors may not have interest or expertise in specific topic areas the mentee desires and needs. For example, mentors who are technical in focus may not be prepared to discuss the leadership development aspects of getting ahead in one’s career or the soft skills critical in business situations, both important in overall career mentoring.
- Live workplace mentors may not have the knowledge or skills to understand the full range of needs the mentee has for their development. Successful organizations and companies, regardless of their size, don’t always have the time or funding to provide training to mentors. Mentors who don’t understand how to be an effective mentor may end up lecturing their mentees. This can provide some useful information to mentees, but it fails to provide what they need most: learning how best to learn in their company environment.
- An individual may want to obtain mentoring on their own, in privacy. Career mentoring can be a touchy subject, especially if there are career frustrations within the organization. Venting in an external, safe environment, may help turn your frustrations into productive workplace habits!
- Wisdom from outside of the organization may be needed, when Live mentors do not have the skills (for example organizational maneuvering or political engineering skills) you suspect you need and want to learn.
- The issues on which you want mentoring may be politically sensitive in your workplace, so you may risk your reputation at work if you bring these issues up with a live mentor. It is much safer to address these issues with an online mentor.
- Mentors are often busy people; too busy. In fact, you also may be busily satisfying deadlines. The only time you may be able to break free may be off-hours, when live mentors are not available. Online mentoring from home might be more convenient and practical for you. You can consult an online mentor more frequently and with less time spent than what the effort might entail with a live mentor in your workplace.
- If your organization does not have a Corporate Mentoring Program, or you do not have access to a live mentor, online career mentoring might be most useful to you.
The challenge most professionals encounter when entering the workplace, and then trying to progress in their careers, is that there are many skills and much knowledge not taught in universities that is critical for career success. In their workplace, many aspiring professionals find other professionals who can help them with technical challenges, but it can be much harder to discover the other knowledge and skills needed for career progress. Obviously, it is hard to learn and practice what you don’t know, that you don’t know. (In some circles, the term “unknown unknowns” is used to refer to what you don’t know that you don’t know.) The online mentoring app MyCareerMentor has been designed to address these mentoring needs of an aspiring professional, whose education has given them good grounding in their profession.