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70 P E E R T O P E E R : I L T A ' S Q U A R T E R L Y M A G A Z I N E | S U M M E R 2 0 2 3 Why Mentoring Matters "Effective mentoring relationships have the power to transform lives, shape careers, and inspire greatness" — Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor M E M B E R R E S O U R C E S W isdom that helps us navigate our careers can be difficult to find these days. Short nuggets of information – such as what we find on Twitter or LinkedIn – is ubiquitous, but lacks depth and is impersonal. Extrapolating wisdom from lengthier sources– whether it's a business book or two hour podcast – requires a big time commitment that is difficult to find when our 24-hour day feels so short. Many of us are grasping for insight from the world. We instinctively know there is a better way to understand the world of work, a more effective way of communicating, a more strategic way to influence others, or a more judicious way to approach difficult situations. This desire for learning and growth is palpable among the Type A go-getters who populate the legal industry – whether you're a fourth year associate focused on a partner track, a seasoned IT technician curious about taking on your first management role, or a numbers genius who is considering a data science career. Yet, it can be a challenge for these go-getters – particularly in the uber-competitive legal sphere – to find guidance. How do you go about learning in a safe environment from a seasoned veteran? An incredibly powerful way to capture that wisdom is through a mentor. Mentorship happens everywhere: Socrates mentored Plato; Steven Spielberg mentored J.J. Abrams; Maya Angelou mentored Oprah. Mentoring provides a safe environment as well as opportunities to learn from others with more experience in a particular area, while allowing yourself to be a bit vulnerable. When done right, mentorship is a gift to both the mentor and the mentee. Here's our take on what mentoring means, why it's important now, the challenges and opportunities found in mentoring relationships, and a call to action. What is Mentoring? Mentoring is a critical aspect of professional growth and development - both for the mentor and the mentee. People who serve as mentors bring their experience and guidance to the relationship, while the mentee brings a desire for improvement. Mentors and mentees can work for by Amy Wegener and Glenn Hoxie

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