Mentoring solutions for the modern world
The days of formal, prearranged mentorship programs are a thing of the past! NCACPA’s new modern mentoring is self-initiated and puts you in control of your professional enrichment. Individualizing the mentor experience makes your time as a mentor or mentee even more impactful and successful.
Read on to discover how!
Mentoring is for everyone
Who can benefit from mentoring? Anyone!
Mentoring is beneficial for mentors and mentees at every stage of the accounting profession. Due to the constant evolution of the accounting world, the idea that mentoring programs should consist of a seasoned professional mentoring a young professional is outdated. Stimulating, long-lasting, and successful mentoring relationships today look drastically different.
Modern examples of mentoring relationships:
- An accounting student seeking advice from an accounting professional about the CPA exam and different accounting career pathways
- A current professional new to North Carolina who desires to learn from an NC native
- Peer-to-peer mentoring for professionals in similar career stages who want to glean from one another
- A young professional mentoring a seasoned professional on recent technology and evolving trends in the field
- A newer accounting professional seeking advice from an experienced one
- A retired accounting professional providing expertise in succession planning
What does Modern Mentoring look like?
At NCACPA, mentoring looks like community, networking, and friendships! It’s a way to connect to real people in your profession about real problems and discover practical solutions. It looks like the continuation of the future of the profession.
Ways to create your perfect mentoring relationship
- Reach out to a peer. Ask a peer in your area out for lunch or coffee! You can learn a lot through a casual conversation about their career experience in the accounting profession.
- Connect through Connect. Read something interesting on Connect? Reach out directly to the poster via the new chat function to learn more.
- Engage in volunteerism. Volunteering with an NCACPA Resource or Networking Group put you in direct contact with professionals who have similar interests. Those connections may transform into mentoring relationships. Complete the volunteer interest form as the first step to becoming an active volunteer.
- Register for an event. NCACPA events are great places to connect with others who have the same interests as you. Afterwards, reach out to someone you met and continue the conversation!
- Post on NCACPA’s Online Community. Let members know you are seeking a mentor or would like to serve as one. It’s direct but highly effective.
How to post about mentoring on Connect
Our members-only online community, Connect, is a great resource for connecting with fellow professionals. Knowing how to begin the conversation about your need to be mentored or your desire to be a mentor may not be intuitive to you. That’s ok!
Tips for using Connect to find mentoring relationships
- Search the members-only directory for someone with a similar interest or specialty you need support in and reach out via direct chat.
- Create a post in the Open Forum about your mentoring search.
- Whether via the Open Forum or direct chat, be sure to introduce yourself, mention where you’re located, and clearly state what type of connection you’re seeking (mentor or mentee)
- Specify your experience level in your career, your goals (if you know, and any designations you have or are seeking.
- Relay how you are interested in connecting: virtually, in person, casual or formal setting, or if you have no preference.