1.3 Your Mentor
Your mentor is one of the most important people supporting you in this learning. Mentors are experienced professionals who can give you the inside scoop about what it’s really like to work as a product manager, what skills you will need, what mistakes to avoid, and how to set yourself up for success. Most people who are learning to be a product manager don’t have this valuable resource, so it’s important to utilize your mentor’s time wisely.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your mentoring relationship:
Where to find mentors?
Ideally you could take help of someone in your professional circle who could help you in your learning. There are some great platfroms like the one we usually recommend is ADPlist, where you can connect with a mentor of your choice for free.
Mentors are usually external people that might or might not be aware of PMcademy. Refrain from asking questions where they are reviewing or grading assignments. Your main purpose of connecting with a mentor is mainly to talk and learn from their experience. Preferrably give them questions or doubts that you might have regarding certain workflows or concepts.
Current list of mentors from ADPList we have collaborated with and are aware of PMcademy
Are you a mentor and wish to be listed here ? Reach us out at hello@pmcademy.com
When to schedule them ?
You may schedule mentor sessions with mentors from ADPlist as and when you wish based on each other's availability. Don't overdo it, mentors from ADPlist are mentoring you voluntarily in their own time without a monetary return. Be mindful of their time.
Can we switch mentors ?
Absolutely. Getting insights from different people is a gem. Don't overdo it and be careful while choosing mentors that might not have a background in Product Management since ADPList covers a wide range of expertise.
What to expect in your 1-on-1 mentor sessions
Mentor sessions are your chance to get the undivided support of an industry veteran who is invested in your success. You’ll get the best results from your sessions if you come prepared. We encourage students to use this time to ask questions about product management, about their learning, growth and experiences. Let them know that you are a student learning from PMcademy and are looking for someone to nurture and guide you in your journey. As mentioned earlier, refrain from asking assignment related questions or having them review and do your assignments. They aren't meant to do that.
Also, mentors love feedback. If there's something your mentor does that is particularly useful, let them know. If there's something that feels less productive, tell them that as well. Each student wants something slightly different from their mentor. By being communicative, you can continually shape your time together so that it's most productive for you.