Will you be my mentor?
This question is so vague that I never quite know how to answer it. Left with the vague question in the open air, my answer is usually no. I have specialized skills, which make me very unspecialized in many areas. For example, I know that I am a useless mentor in the following;
- How to get accepted to BYU-I as an international student
- Web security professions
- The art and structure of the French language
- Supply chain and contacts in the towel industry
- and a million other things…
I have general knowledge in a few areas that may be above average. Such as,
- Investing in the US Stock Market
- Working with teachers to complete your education
- Housing in Rexburg
- Working for the Department of Energy
- If LeBron James will win another championship
However, I am not an expert in any of these and might provide weak advice compared to experts. But there are topics and skills where I flourish.
- What does it look like to work in the data science industry?
- How do you get a paper published in a US research journal?
- What are the best books to read to start your journey down openness theology?
- How does statistics compare to data science?
- Why math isn’t statistics?
- How to do data science consulting?
- What is it like to work for the Church Education System?
- How to build websites with Quarto?
- and a few other things…
I know these topics and could talk for hours on each of them. However, I am sure others know more than me and might disagree with some of my views.
What you should ask
You should reach out When you find someone you think could help you push your knowledge forward. Determine the skill or area where you want mentoring and ask a specific question. Also, recognize that it takes time to mentor. The more precise you are about the time you are asking for, the easier it will be for the potential mentor to respond. Here are some example mentoring questions I might ask.
- I have been researching data science in the United States. I see that you work in this space. I’d like to ask you a few questions about the industry and how I could improve my skills in this space.
- Do you have 30 minutes for a short informational call about your last book on Speculative Grace? I would enjoy getting your perspective on how objects interact.
- I see that you teach the R programming language. I want to learn R. Do you or someone you know have 15 minutes to help me start my journey?
Remember, mentoring is a relationship. Your first request should feel like you are asking for something other than an eternal connection. Once you chat, you and your potential mentor can decide if the relationship should continue.