The modern world is filled to the brim with information. A simple Google search, done in less than 0.5 seconds, presents one with a staggering 79 million answers to the question: 'how do I accelerate my career?'
In the Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains that the human brain is not designed for this overbearing abundance of options. The difficulty in it, he explains, is that it often comes with intense anxiety and stress, as we try to make the right choice amidst the myriad of opportunities being offered. In other words, the more options to pick from, the more time and consideration involved in trying to make the right decision.
That's exactly why we've developed the kind of approach to career growth that bypasses all the empty talks and is sure to bring in results. How? By going directly to the source and asking seasoned experts & leaders across industries how they made it.
From miracle career solutions and guru-entrepreneurs constantly being sold to us by the internet; to copious amounts of online courses or books, the sheer number of options is certainly enough to stop us in our tracks before we’ve even begun, and also often along the way. Deciding where your time, energy, money, and other resources are best spent does not come easy.
Having so many options but no quality guidance to help us reach conclusions also affects how we feel. Research now suggests that a whopping 85% of workers may be unhappy at their current jobs, and recent trends like 'quiet quitting' and 'the great break-up' reflect that. In fact, women are leaving their companies at the highest rate seen in years.
If we have a wealth of career choices and widespread information - why aren’t we happier at work?
The importance of finding the right role models
A study by Yale found that our perception of reality and the objects within it may be shaped by our perception of how other humans interact with them. The level of influence exerted by role models in our learning experience is so profoundthat experts surmise it may even be converted to subconscious and automatic actions.
This powerful effect means it's imperative to find the right role models to help guide us. Accessing the right role models has been proven to be a powerful antidote against common roadblocks like negative stereotypes for girls in STEM. Studies now show that girls are more likely to enter and stay in a scientific career if they have successful female role models to look up to. It has also been found to give girls more confidence and make them less likely to believe in limiting notions, such as females performing worse in mathematics tests than males, thus improving their test results.
The benefits of mentoring
Nearly 71% of Fortune 500 companies have an active mentoring program being offered to workers. In contrast, only around a quarter of smaller companies offer this type of support. So, why hasn’t the rest of the world caught on to the importance of mentoring?
Lack of awareness may be a factor there, and perhaps the modern-day craving for urgency and the lure of get-results-quick schemes are too seductive to resist, or maybe people don’t know where to start. Whatever it is, having access to role models is proven to be the missing ingredient to finding lasting fulfillment in our careers.
However, mentoring can’t be a one-size-fits-all approach to have any results. Having a prescribed model that doesn’t take into account people’s individuality and personal career aspirations and goals can have a negative effect on employee morale, according to Forbes.
Finding the right role model
Not everyone works at a Fortune 500 company with a dedicated mentoring program, but that should not be an obstacle to enjoying all its benefits. One of our aims at the female factor is to make role models accessible for all ambitious women, across all industries.
Finding the right mentor on your own can be a really difficult task that involves a lot of energy, and that can yield little fruit. By collaborating with experts from various fields over the years, we’ve developed different approaches that allow us to connect future leaders with the right decision-makers and role models.
Our business and career mentoring program gives you access to international mentors with diverse backgrounds from top companies, ready to share real advice on how to make it. When you apply to our mentoring program, you get paired up with one of our 200+ experts that will support you on your professional journey and help you achieve your career goals, whatever they are.