SELECT Mentor: Navigating Mentorship in Data & Analytics

Introduction

The industry of data, analytics and AI can be a murky journey with unclear industry pathways.

As a changing industry, the steps to take to get from x to y can be unclear.

There are bootcamps, online certificates, degrees and some people just end up as a Data Analyst by accident e.g. they started looking after an Excel sheet and now it's SQL Server.

As an Accountant or Pilot, the steps are very well-worn and so much so that I'm aware of them!

Mentors can help bridge the gap from industry to individual, providing a light for a somewhat darker path.

Benefit of mentors

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction." - John Crosby

Mentors reduce the time to get to where you want to go.

They help by pointing out the potholes and shining the light on the yellow brick road.

An hour conversation with the right mentor for direction can save 20 hours of struggle.

Olympic athletes all have coaches because they realise the value of this.

There is something unique about a different perspective, especially a more experienced one.

Who I Have As Mentors

1. Paid Executive Coaching: in starting DR Analytics Recruitment I realised early on that I needed help. A lot of it. And still do. So for the past almost 2 years I've had weekly coaching lessons that focus on strategy, operations, growth and marketing.
2. Regular Lunch (my shout): there are a few directors or leaders that I look up to and I make a point of regularly getting lunch with them. Here, I learn an unbelievable amount about how they approach their business or work and can ask a few questions of advice!
3. Toastmasters: if you don't know what Toastmasters is, it's a public speaking group where professionals hone their verbal communication (join the one I'm in here). Within Toastmasters, you can ask about mentorship and be paired with a reliable hand to craft your public speaking journey. Martin Dougiamas is helping me along the way here - we shall make a strong team!
4. Peer-to-Peer Groups: these are groups of people at a similar stage in professional or personal life that I catch up with in a fortnightly or monthly cadence for update and support.

"Great Doug, well done" you may think... "But how do I find a mentor?"

The first stop is to think of who would be a good mentor. Strong characteristics are:

• Typically 1 or 2 steps ahead of you
• Shares similar values and traits
• Someone you look up to

Don't take advice from anyone who's not where you want to be.

There are four different well known paths to finding a mentor.

Four Different Paths to Mentorship

1. Your Workplace

Professional workplaces often offer a form of mentorship programs for their staff, whether informally or formally. Manager supervision, one-on-one's or catch-ups are proxy to this and all it can take is some more direction from the mentee (you) to guide this into a more fruitful relationship. A great way to facilitate this is to share what you are looking for from mentorship by sharing:

• Where you want to take your career.
• Areas you need the most help with
• How the mentor could best support you

Your manager may not be your formal mentor.

It could be the Senior Data Engineer in your team or from another department!

2. Network & Industry Connections

Your network, connections and community are a great source of mentors.

This is where I've met some incredible people. And some people are a regular coffee or lunch catch-up.

But where do I meet these people? Check out the below data meetups in Perth:

https://www.meetup.com/perth-microsoft-data-and-analytics-user-group/

https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/perth-data-engineering-meetup/

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/wa-data-science-innovation-hub-29687905745

https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/perth-modern-excel-power-bi-user-group/

https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/industry-inner-join/

(^this is the one I run)

But it can be hard to navigate facilitating the relationship as often great mentors are busy people that don't have a large amount of time.

How to ask:

Don't Say: Will you be my mentor?

This puts a lot of pressure on the relationship and often the default for busy people is no.

Do Ask: Would it be okay if I buy you lunch sometime?

(everyone has to eat and who doesn't like free lunch?)

Following the lunch, introducing the concept of regular lunches and dropping them a question if you need help is a great way to informally find a mentor!

Or provide value to the said-person as Alex shares below:

3. Organisations

Enter Mentor it Forward - the platform designed to facilitate mentor-mentee relationships.

Founded in Perth, it's an unbelievable organisation creating real value (free)!

Mentor it Forward (MiF) is a Non-For-Profit organisation dedicated to empowering individuals and driving positive change within the business ecosystem through mentorship, professional development, and inclusive initiatives.

The creative force behind is 🎗️Haim Ozchakir , who he himself was Practice Lead of Insight's Data & AI division. The group has a technology flair to it so there are a large number of data pros on their, and mentees seeking help!

You can apply for mentorship here.

If you google "match me with a mentor" and plethora of other options come up.

4. Paid Mentors

While many mentorship opportunities are free or informal, there is also the option to invest in paid mentorship e.g.

• Business coaches
• Life coaches
• Career coaches.

These professionals offer tailored advice and structured support for individuals looking to accelerate their careers or personal development.

The advantage of paying for mentorship is the dedicated time, personalised strategies and accountability that these mentors provide.

The disadvantage is the monetary exchange can create a complex environment.

So choose these mentors wisely!

Conclusion

To wrap it up, mentorship gets you from A to B faster.

It decreases the mistakes and dead ends you run down.

And in an industry that is fast-moving, it's pretty essential!

I'd recommend pursuing one of the four paths - heck - the data community that I run; Industry Inner Join may able to facilitate this as part of our 2025 growth!

Watch this space.