3 answers
Racheal
Student
1
Question
Asked
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How do I get a mentor in the field of accounting?
Most people say how important it is to get a mentor but never say how to get one . Especially for those who don’t know anyone in that particular field
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3 answers
Shannon Zulauf
Risk & Independence
28
Answers
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Hi Racheal!
I love that you’re thinking about finding a mentor to help guide you through college and into your career. I agree with many of the responses above and wanted to add a bit more perspective.
When thinking about a mentor, it doesn’t have to be a highly specific or formal relationship. A mentor can simply be someone who serves as a sounding board, or someone you check in with to ask questions about their career path, the decisions they’ve made, and what they’ve learned along the way.
Some of the most impactful mentorships are informal and evolve naturally over time. What matters most is being curious, respectful of their time, and open to learning—those conversations often shape your perspective just as much as structured mentorship programs do.
These relationships can grow and change over time. I’ve had many mentors throughout my career, and some of the mentors I connected with in high school are still around today. While they may now support me more from the sidelines, I can clearly see how their early guidance helped shape both my career and life path.
I love that you’re thinking about finding a mentor to help guide you through college and into your career. I agree with many of the responses above and wanted to add a bit more perspective.
When thinking about a mentor, it doesn’t have to be a highly specific or formal relationship. A mentor can simply be someone who serves as a sounding board, or someone you check in with to ask questions about their career path, the decisions they’ve made, and what they’ve learned along the way.
Some of the most impactful mentorships are informal and evolve naturally over time. What matters most is being curious, respectful of their time, and open to learning—those conversations often shape your perspective just as much as structured mentorship programs do.
These relationships can grow and change over time. I’ve had many mentors throughout my career, and some of the mentors I connected with in high school are still around today. While they may now support me more from the sidelines, I can clearly see how their early guidance helped shape both my career and life path.
Donna Hull
Engineer
101
Answers
Columbia
Updated
Donna’s Answer
Rachel;
Mentorship usually happens inherently as you progress into your career field. As you are emersed in your field you find a person that you resonate with and feel comfortable enough to ask questions and take advice from.
As an assistance in seeking out a mentor, you may want to look into some of the attached organizations. They may be able to provide guidance as well as individuals willing to mentor an upcoming accountant.
https://www.icas.com/news-insights-events/news/equality-diversity-inclusion-edi/global-study-identifies-the-key-to-fostering-female-ambition-in-the-chartered-accountancy-profession
https://allianceofbwa.org/
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/campaigns/meet-your-cpe-deadline?utm_source=psearch&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=40_stosal_q425_cpedeadline&utm_term=na&utm_content=cpe_deadline&cid=sem-ppc:google:23349617658:aicpa%20learning:p&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23349617658&gbraid=0AAAAAD_pFTD6DKWv8yOkqCqPmU4F61oZA&gclid=Cj0KCQiApL7KBhC7ARIsAD2Xq3Cni2Zzslg2DHiQuPCfTOFzUmKVdPKru-jYsit1ypGmfazM2ICxFa4aAiEWEALw_wcB
Mentorship usually happens inherently as you progress into your career field. As you are emersed in your field you find a person that you resonate with and feel comfortable enough to ask questions and take advice from.
As an assistance in seeking out a mentor, you may want to look into some of the attached organizations. They may be able to provide guidance as well as individuals willing to mentor an upcoming accountant.
Donna recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Racheal
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Racheal !
It's great that you are learning more about having a Mentor for your journey towards an Accounting career !
I agree with Advisor Donna Hull in that a mentor/student relationship is something that develops. It is usually someone who has been in the field of work for quite a while, someone who you see often socially and go to events and activities with and develop a friendship so that the person gets to know you and can advise you according to your personal goals and circumstances. They will tell you about career opportunities you may not know about and help you with work situations as they have been there and experienced a lot. Since you see them often, there is a free-flowing and natural conversation about the field of work among other things.
That being said, since we have the internet, there has been some development to avail students/career workers of Mentors electronically which is a whole different feel and experience for mentoring. Some of the websites that people can register at for an online mentor are Student Mentor (web address is below), iMentor matches high school seniors with college educated volunteer mentors, UStrive provides virtual mentoring for high school and college students, particularly those in financial need, offering one-on-one coaching, The Virtual Mentoring Portal by MENTOR is a safe, monitored platform that enables mentoring programs to maintain and form online relationships, supporting mentees aged 13 and older, and College Bound, Inc. offers a Virtual Mentoring Program. It may seem more like coaching or advising if you do it online/remotely, but you can explore this option. There may be some in person places where you live to meet Mentors, but you didn't mention your town/city and state for direct referrals.
You should only obtain a Mentor if you need one regardless of hearing that people say it's important to have one. Before exploring it, make a list of the reasons you want a mentor and how it can enhance your academic experience.
Even if you do not meet a Mentor, you will have great supports in college from your Accounting Department staff and professors, the on Campus Career Center and your Academic Counselor (I'm assuming that you are in the United States).
I had 2 mentors, one of whom I still keep contact with till this day. My academic mentor was someone who was an actress and director for many decades and I was in my first play with her. We became friends. She passed away most recently at age 100. My other mentor is someone I met during my career journey. She was a professional actress and manager and did my very first acting resume. We became friends and she is still very supportive and helpful at the age of 87 ! Getting an in-person mentor, and they don't have to be older people, can mean having a lifelong friend !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
STUDENT MENTOR WEBSITE StudentMentor.org
It's great that you are learning more about having a Mentor for your journey towards an Accounting career !
I agree with Advisor Donna Hull in that a mentor/student relationship is something that develops. It is usually someone who has been in the field of work for quite a while, someone who you see often socially and go to events and activities with and develop a friendship so that the person gets to know you and can advise you according to your personal goals and circumstances. They will tell you about career opportunities you may not know about and help you with work situations as they have been there and experienced a lot. Since you see them often, there is a free-flowing and natural conversation about the field of work among other things.
That being said, since we have the internet, there has been some development to avail students/career workers of Mentors electronically which is a whole different feel and experience for mentoring. Some of the websites that people can register at for an online mentor are Student Mentor (web address is below), iMentor matches high school seniors with college educated volunteer mentors, UStrive provides virtual mentoring for high school and college students, particularly those in financial need, offering one-on-one coaching, The Virtual Mentoring Portal by MENTOR is a safe, monitored platform that enables mentoring programs to maintain and form online relationships, supporting mentees aged 13 and older, and College Bound, Inc. offers a Virtual Mentoring Program. It may seem more like coaching or advising if you do it online/remotely, but you can explore this option. There may be some in person places where you live to meet Mentors, but you didn't mention your town/city and state for direct referrals.
You should only obtain a Mentor if you need one regardless of hearing that people say it's important to have one. Before exploring it, make a list of the reasons you want a mentor and how it can enhance your academic experience.
Even if you do not meet a Mentor, you will have great supports in college from your Accounting Department staff and professors, the on Campus Career Center and your Academic Counselor (I'm assuming that you are in the United States).
I had 2 mentors, one of whom I still keep contact with till this day. My academic mentor was someone who was an actress and director for many decades and I was in my first play with her. We became friends. She passed away most recently at age 100. My other mentor is someone I met during my career journey. She was a professional actress and manager and did my very first acting resume. We became friends and she is still very supportive and helpful at the age of 87 ! Getting an in-person mentor, and they don't have to be older people, can mean having a lifelong friend !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Racheal
I'm happy it could help !
Michelle M.