You’re looking for a mentor — Now what?
A guide to finding a mentor who’s right for you — and making the most of it.
So, you want a mentor. Cool. Now… how the hell do you actually find one?
Mentorship is everywhere — platforms, programs, speed sessions — yet most people still don’t know how to start. Or they feel awkward asking. Or they quietly let it slide onto the “one day” pile.
I’ve been on both sides: the lost designer with zero clue where to find guidance, and the mentor helping others navigate their career fog.
When I started in design, mentoring wasn’t a thing like it is today. You asked for help, sat next to someone smarter, and hoped some of their brilliance rubbed off. No formal requests. No programs. Just watching and winging it. (And yes, you never stop winging it — you just get better at it. But that’s another post.)
Since 2019, I’ve mentored through SheSays – Who’s Your Momma?, D&AD, The Dots, Kerning the Gap, and Ladies, Wine & Design. I’ve seen the lightbulb moments, the common roadblocks, and the small wins that keep people moving forward.
But finding a mentor can feel overwhelming. And judging by the steady climb in mentor requests in my DMs — plus a design job market that still hasn’t bounced back — it’s clear there’s a real appetite for professional sounding boards.
I mentor because it’s part of my values: giving back to the design community, uplifting others, and building the connections that shaped my own path. But I don’t have the capacity for new mentees outside my long-term work with WYMM. So instead of sending half-baked advice in rushed DMs, I’m putting it all here.
Let’s get into it — how to find a mentor, what to look for, and how to make the most of it once you do.
And when you’re ready to flip the script? Part 2 is coming: You want to be a mentor — Now what?
1. Get clear on your ask
Don’t start by looking for someone. Start by looking at yourself. Mentoring works best when you’re crystal clear on what you actually need. It also makes it a lot easier to approach someone if you can tell them exactly what you’re looking for.
Ask yourself: What kind of support would really help me right now?
Do you need help levelling up your craft? (Design critique, tools, processes...)
Are you focused on career growth and want to hear from people who’ve been where you want to go? (Promotions, org dynamics…)
Are you stuck in your own head and need someone who’ll tell you the truth, kindly call you out, and help you move forward? (Confidence, impostor syndrome…)
Then get real about your time investment:
Would a one-off session cover it?
Do you need a longer-term commitment over several months?
Would speed mentoring give you more variety in less time?
Or do you need a mix of formats and timeframes?
Once you know what you need and how much time you can commit, you’re ready for the search.
2. Know where to look
Good news: there are more options than you think. The trick is to research which ones actually match what you need.
Mentors from inside your current org: Is there someone in your company you could ask for mentorship? Don’t stop at your line manager — think broader: team leads, cross-functional peers, managers. Having someone slightly outside your day-to-day can give you fresh insight.
Past colleagues: Same as above, but with people you’ve worked with in other companies.
Online: Slack groups, communities, LinkedIn groups, or your LinkedIn connections. You don’t need to be a power networker to find a mentor — it’s about quality, not quantity. Notice who regularly engages with your work; those quiet interactions can be a perfect way to start a connection.
Networking events: You never know what a new connection might lead to. The time and energy you invest now can pay off in unexpected ways later.
Peer recommendations: Ask someone in your network if they know a good match for you.
AI: There’s no shortage of chatbots, LLMs, custom GPTs, and prompts for quick check-ins — but for meaningful progress, it’s the personal 1:1 human connection that truly makes the difference in mentoring.
Dedicated mentoring programs: Examples worth checking out: Who’s Your Momma, SheSays, Ladies, Wine & Design, I LIKE NETWORKING, The Dots, D&AD, Kerning the Gap, GrowthMentor, The Arena, For Creative Girls, Women Tech Network, Fala or Women in Tech. Caveat: don’t just apply — read the small print. These programs target specific audiences. Make sure you fit. Bonus: many of them are free.
3. How to ask for mentoring
You’ve figured out who to reach out to — now it’s time to actually make the ask.
But first, do your homework. If it’s a mentoring program, make sure it aligns with your goals and that you meet their requirements. If you’re reaching out to someone directly, check if they offer mentoring on their website, through paid services, or formal programs. Some even clearly say “no mentoring.” Respecting people’s time and boundaries goes a long way.
Cold messaging with “Can you mentor me?” — no context, no connection — is a fast track to being ignored. Start a conversation first.
Here are some ideas:
Make it personal. Share who you are and link your work if it fits.
Keep it short. Long messages from strangers rarely get read.
If you’re using LinkedIn, have a complete profile that shows who you are. If they can’t tell, they can’t help.
Be specific about what you want: “I’d love your perspective on X. I’m stuck on Y.” “Looking for portfolio feedback.” “Curious how you got into your role at [company].”
Set clear expectations. Want 15 minutes for a quick chat? Say it. Looking for ongoing monthly calls? Be upfront. This might change once you have a mentor, but clarity prevents assumptions.
Be realistic. Amazing mentors exist, but the busier and higher up they are in their careers, the less time they’ll have.
PS: Don’t ask for a job or recommendation right away — mentoring isn’t about that. (That said, mentoring can sometimes open doors down the line.)
So, yes, asking for help can feel scary. But you’re in the design world — you are used to feedback sessions and constructive critique rounds. Mentoring will come naturally. Even better, it’ll be tailored precisely to what you need.
4. Dealing with rejection
Remember — it’s not personal.
People are busy, already mentoring others, or simply not the right fit for you right now.
If you already have a good connection with someone who says no, it’s perfectly okay to ask if they can recommend someone else who might be a better match.
Keep the door open, stay positive, and know that finding the right mentor is a journey, not a one-message game.
5. What to expect from mentorship
Mentorship comes in many shapes — sometimes regular sessions, in person or online, sometimes a quick DM for ad-hoc advice. Over time, you’ll likely build a circle of advisors, each bringing different perspectives. There’s no one-size-fits-all; it’s as unique as you and what you need.
You’re in the driver’s seat: you set the agenda, come prepared with updates and curiosity, and be ready to put in the work. Don’t expect quick fixes or all the answers handed to you.
Be open to pivoting. You might start a session with one problem, only to find the real issue lies elsewhere — and that’s what needs your focus first. Mentoring isn’t therapy, but sometimes it can stir up hidden work gremlins.
Mentoring is a two-way street built on trust and respect. Keep conversations confidential, respect both your and your mentor’s time, and be upfront if life gets busy and you need to cancel or pause.
And if it’s not clicking? That’s totally fine. Not every mentor-mentee match works out.
6. Wrap
Getting a mentor is a fantastic way to gain clarity, confidence, and guidance through shared experiences and perspectives. To wrap things up, here are the three key insights I’ve kept front and centre while being a mentee and mentor myself:
Be proactive. I’ve definitely spent too long sitting on the fence instead of just asking for help. Every time I did ask, I came away with something valuable: a mindset shift, a challenge, clarity, fresh insight into my blind spots, confidence when it mattered, or the energy and inspiration to keep going.
Build your sounding board. The clue’s in the name — mentoring isn’t just one person guiding you. Build a board of relationships and gather input from many voices. Advice can be subjective, and you’ll likely get different insights when speaking to different mentors. Those different perspectives help you form your own view and see things from new angles.
It never ends. Mentoring isn’t something with a fixed start and end. It’s an ongoing part of your career — a system you build that you can tap into whenever you need it. Keep the mentee mentality forever.
One of the best parts of the design world is how generous people are with their time and skills. Maybe one day, you’ll pay it forward and become a mentor yourself.
But for now, go find your mentor.
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