Mentoring And Coaching Essay Samples

[Institution’s Name]
Mentoring involves two people who share a common interest of advancing career goals. One of the persons is more experienced and knowledgeable in a particular area of expertise. This person offers advice and opinions on a variety of relevant topics in order to help the protégé advance in his or her career, or to achieve his or her dream. In addition, the mentoring requires the mentor to serve as a protector, shielding the protégé from costly errors. It is a long term engagement.
Coaching, on the other hand, involves giving advice on a more specific and short term level. It does not have to involve a personal relationship inherent in the mentoring-protégé set up. Coaching is designed to address a specific skill that needs improvement.
Mentoring has benefits. One benefit is building a long-term relationship that will assist in career advancements. In addition, it will provide knowledge and guidance that will build a strong, professional resume. Coaching will put the touches on professional development, fine tuning the skills that have already been developed through the mentoring process.
Mentors and coaches are needed in our lives to help us make reasonable and right decisions, communicate effectively, and establish a social network. Without mentors and coaches, our work would be more stressful and less productive. In order to connect with a mentor or coach, I would first have to find a person who is in the same area of expertise as I am, would be interested in being a mentor and is a respected and knowledgeable individual. Usually these persons are provided for by the companies or firms for which one works. If not, then social sites such as LinkedIn would be a great starting point. I could reach out to an individual who I think would be a great mentor and start with a question. It could start off as an online collaboration and proceed from there. Mentors and coaches are a great resource for sustaining a successful career.