Formalized career mentoring?

September 12, 2023 1:44 PM

I'm at a juncture where I want to plan my next career steps (looking 5-10 years out) and generally think I want to transition into data analytics type roles. I'd like to take a self-learning approach for various reasons, and would greatly benefit from a mentor who can (1) tell me if my plan is reasonable and (2) maybe have a quarterly check-in over the course of several years to see if I need to make adjustments. I would be willing to pay for this, but how does one even find such an arrangement?

I suppose I could start cold emailing people who are in positions that seem like where I'd like to be in 10 years and then ask if they would be willing to agree to such an arrangement, but I would really like it to be some formal arrangement (even with payment involved to keep it fair) so that it's not just them donating lots of time. But I also feel it's a bit weird to say "hey, if I pay you, would you review my career plans and regularly check in with me"?

This is my first time trying to commit to such a formal self-learning approach (I've done it before for small tasks or skills), but I can't justify going back to graduate school again (after much thought and discussion since a prior AskMe) while I'm finally in a reasonably good financial position and for family reasons would really benefit from maintaining that. I think having a formal mentor is necessary though since I estimate I'm looking at around 5 years of learning in evenings / weekends.

posted by unid41 to Education (6 answers total)

It sounds like a lot of work to design a data analytics curriculum when you could enroll in an existing data analytics program at a university. It sounds like what you're describing is a thesis advisor of some sort. Maybe see if there are some promising post docs who are looking for some coaching on the side?
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 1:50 PM on September 12, 2023

Response by poster: I'll try to not thread-sit, but just to reply re: existing programs - I'm in Germany and have not seen anything suitable in my search so far (would likely need to be in English since my technical German is meh, would need to be at a slow pace where I could do it over years with average of 7-10h / week or so). I'd also like to keep costs relatively low (in the <$10,000 range) for any additional education.
posted by unid41 at 1:54 PM on September 12, 2023

I'm in a different field, but I just got paired with a mentor through my professional association. My employer pays for my membership, but it's not super expensive (under £200/year and I also get access to other resources). If there's a similar professional association in your field, that might be one option to explore.
posted by terretu at 2:20 PM on September 12, 2023

A lot of analysts learn on the job. I went from operations to data analyst to data engineer. I have a degree, but not in any sort of analytics.

How I started was by taking over reporting tasks for my manager. He had to run reports each week and combine them together. I did that work for him and went from there. Is there any opportunity like that for you? I ask because it is far easier to internalize what you are learning when you can relate it to the real world.

After that, I would learn how to analyze something by watching others and asking questions. I also automated my work as much as possible. I would spend two hours researching ways to save 20 minutes. After doing this a few times a week for a year, I was really good at Excel.

I don’t know of any formal professional groups, except for ones strongly tied to a tool.

I would try to engage with your network- is there anyone who would explain their job to you? (I bet there are more than you think!) That would be one Avenue to find a mentor. Someone might be able to point you to a mentor.
posted by Monday at 3:16 PM on September 12, 2023

No direct experience, but I've seen some folks in the data analyst/ engineer/ scientist space advertise their courses (sometimes with mentorship) on linked in. Not sure how the long term angle would work.

I think it wouldn't hurt to start with some informational interviews with folks (maybe from your alma mater? "influencers on linked in?)

There are online platforms that teach data analytics (ex). Even if you don't wish to use the platform, the content might be a good reference. Linked in is also filled with "how to get started as a data analyst" posts.
posted by oceano at 5:30 PM on September 12, 2023

I think what you're looking for is an 'Executive Coach'. I have used one in the past and found it very helpful for keeping myself on track and serving as an 'honest friend' who won't shy away from telling it how it is.
posted by dg at 8:50 PM on September 12, 2023