The New Way to Upskill for Career Growth: Mentorship

‍Picture this: You want to improve your skills and get your dream job. 

You try to pick a course only to find infinite choices. 

You start some of them, but they don't match your learning style.🤷

Plus, there's no one to tell you how you're progressing. 

Eventually, you get a certificate, but how does that turn into a job?

You've searched the internet up and down, but you're still feeling stuck.

Oops.

If you relate to that whole situation, you’re not the only one.

👉This happens because there's a lack of clear guidance, personalised support, and a structured path.

The overwhelming number of choices, no feedback, and the gap between learning and practical application keeps you stuck in the upskilling journey. 

Without a strategic approach, bridging the gap between acquiring skills and achieving the desired career outcomes is difficult.

⭐The solution? All-rounded, holistic growth.

It's not just enrolling in courses and hoping for any job. 

It's about crafting a personalised, strategic route to your DREAM job. 

Its intentional success.✨

Here I’m spilling the details on what you need to know about upskilling for career growth holistically.

So keep reading and avoid the common pitfalls.❌

The True Path to Career Success: All-rounded, Holistic Learning

When discussing career growth, it's natural to focus on technical skills.

However, the true path to career growth goes beyond just technical stuff.

👉Imagine you're building a house. 

Technical skills are like the bricks and the tools you use to build it.

But you also need a sound foundation, walls, a roof, and maybe even a garden to make it a comfortable home.

Similarly, you need more than just technical skills for your career to truly flourish. 

You need a well-rounded set of abilities.

Being well-rounded means having a variety of skills that work together, just like the different parts of a house.

Holistic growth refers not only to know how to code or analyse reports but also to having:

• Efficient communication skills

• Enhanced problem-solving skills
• The ability to adapt
• The ability to lead
• Effective time management
• Pro teamwork skills
• Continuous learning mindset

For easier understanding, here’s an example:

⭐Imagine you're a brilliant programmer. You can code complex programs easily. But your work might not be as impactful if you can't explain your ideas to your teammates or clients. By improving your communication skills, you can present your ideas clearly, gather feedback, and ensure everyone understands your outstanding solutions.

OR maybe: 

⭐You work in marketing, and suddenly, the strategy you've been using is not effective because of changes in social media algorithms. Your adaptability helps you pivot and develop a fresh plan that connects with the audience in a new way.

Like a house, your career is built step by step. 

Each skill you develop adds to the strength and beauty of your career journey. 

So, while technical skills are like bricks, the all-rounded skills are like the different parts that make your career a thriving and comfortable place.✨

Why is Holistic Learning Difficult to Achieve? (And Even More Difficult to Evaluate)

1. Too much information

The internet has tons and tons of information. 

It’s like a vast library, but sometimes it's hard to find the right books because there are so many shelves. 

It's overwhelming to figure out what to learn and how to prioritise.

2. Time constraints

Life can be busy. 

Finding time to learn about many things can be challenging between work, family, and other responsibilities. 

It's like trying to juggle a lot of balls at once.

3. Online learning challenges

Online learning is amazing because you can study from anywhere. But it can be tricky too. 

You need to motivate yourself and stay focused without a mentor in front of you. 

Also, not everything online is accurate or good quality, so you have to be careful about what you're learning.

4. Challenges of self-assessment

Figuring out what you're good at and what you need to improve on can be like trying to see your own face without a mirror. 🤷

Sometimes, we think we're good at something but might be missing important skills. 

It's difficult to find out by yourself what you truly need to learn.

5. No clear direction

Imagine you're on a road trip without a map or GPS. 

It's tough to know which way to go. 

Similarly, you might feel lost without a clear plan or direction in your learning. 

You could end up learning things that don't really fit together or help you achieve your goals.

In today's fast-paced world with tons of information, not being sure about your own skills and lacking a clear path to follow can make holistic learning even more challenging. 

It's like walking through a dense forest without a compass. You might wander around but struggle to reach your desired destination.

What is Mentorship All About, and What Role Does it Play in Holistic Growth?

Having a personalised mentor is like having a knowledgeable friend who:

• understands you,
• guides you on the right path,
• helps you avoid mistakes, and
• ensures you truly understand and succeed in your learning journey.

Right until you receive the results.✨

Here are 4 ways mentorship helps you achieve career success through holistic, all-rounded learning:

1. Expert-assessment

Imagine having a wise friend who knows you really well and can help you see your strengths and weaknesses. 

A personalised mentor is like that friend. 

⭐They can better assess your skills, talents, and areas for improvement than you might. 

They provide honest feedback and guide you toward the right things to learn.

2. Clear direction

Think of a mentor as a navigator on your learning journey. 

They help you create a clear map that shows where you are and where you want to go. 

⭐They understand your goals and aspirations and can guide you on the best path to achieve them. 

With their experience, they can show you what skills and knowledge are most important for your journey.

Try a free 1:1 mentoring session with a career mentor for a personalised path to your dream job.

3. No blindly doing courses, only intentional learning

Sometimes, the internet can feel like a big maze. 

There's a lot of information out there, but not all of it is accurate or helpful. 

A mentor is like a trusted guide who knows the right path. 

⭐They can recommend reliable sources, tools, and materials. 

They save you from wandering in the maze and help you avoid dead ends.

4. End-to-end guidance

Imagine building a puzzle without the picture on the box to guide you. It's tough, right? 

A mentor provides that missing picture. 

⭐They offer step-by-step guidance from start to finish. 

They don't just give you a puzzle piece (like a certification) and leave you to figure out the rest. 

They help you combine all the pieces to create a clear picture of your learning journey.

Here’s an example for better understanding:

⭐Sara, a budding business analyst, opted for a mentor's guidance for her job search. Her mentor identified her strengths and guided her through a well-planned learning journey. 

With personalised advice, Sara developed a wide range of skills. She gained not only knowledge but also problem-solving abilities. This made her adaptable and valuable to her company. 

She earned certifications too, but her mentor ensured she understood their real-world applications. 

As a result, Sara's career flourished. She took on diverse projects and grew into a strategic role, leading to promotions and recognition.✨

⭐Sam, another business analyst, relied solely on online courses. He struggled with direction, often unsure which courses to take. When he faced challenges, he lacked personalised guidance. 

He got stuck on projects without a mentor's feedback. This hindered his growth, leading to frustration and career stagnation. 

Despite having certificates, Sam found it hard to apply his knowledge effectively.

He missed out on opportunities and faced difficulty adapting to new tasks.❌

Lesson: don’t be Sam.🤷

Here’s What Professionals Have to Say About Their Mentorship Experience

“With my mentor’s guidance, I became more confident in my coding and problem-solving skills. As a result, my coding skills improved, and I gained the confidence to face technical interviews. I could see a clear transformation in my approach to coding and problem-solving.”

– Likhith, Software Engineer

Read: Likhith’s Path to His Dream Software Engineer Job With 50% Hike

“I'm incredibly grateful to my mentor! She's been the driving force behind all my learning, preparation, and negotiation skills. Without her, I wouldn't have achieved any of this!”

– Ann Mary, Data Scientist

Read: From Jobless to Data Scientist: How Ann Mary Made a Successful Career Switch

“I was over the moon. I didn’t know that it was in me but with my mentor’s guidance, it became a reality; he helped me from getting my resume shortlisted to planning my interview to helping me ace it,”

– Divya, Senior Data Analyst

Read: Overcoming Rejection: Divya’s Journey to a Data Analyst Role

“My mentor assessed all my skills and what I had learned from all the courses I took. He pointed out the inconsistencies and the areas where I’d need more growth. He’d monitor my activities and regularly gave me feedback on improving and overcoming my weaknesses. It was like having a clear roadmap to success!”

– Pavitha, Senior Software Engineer

Read: How Pavitha Bagged a Product-based Role With a 200% Hike

Final Thoughts

Getting a certificate is like getting a gold star for completing a task.

But a mentor's guidance is like having a coach who helps you become a champion in your learning journey.✨

They focus on your growth, understanding, and real-world application of skills. 

It's not just about having a piece of paper; it's about becoming truly capable and confident in your learning.

And receiving constant support through the ups and downs until you’ve reached your goals.

Hearing the above professionals achieve their dream careers is exciting, right?

It could be YOUR turn next.

At Preplaced, there are 300+ industry experts ready to hold your hand and guide you toward your dream job.

All you have to do is take the first step.✨

Let the power of mentorship work in your favour.

Book a free 1:1 trial mentorship session with your fav career mentor.