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Finding a Mentor

  • August 27, 2009 at 2:35 am

    #134413

    Comments posted to this topic are about the item Finding a Mentor

  • August 27, 2009 at 4:04 am

    #1045398

    A mentorship program is something that I have been wanting to offer through my user group. Has anyone successfully implemented such a program? Thoughts/ideas/recommendations?

  • August 27, 2009 at 5:39 am

    #1045443

    I think your local SQL user group is a great place to look for a mentor. Like Steve said, maybe it won't be one person. maybe there are several people in the group who can help. Also some of the SQL pros have career advice on their blogs. i know Steve Jones has done some of that as well as Brent Ozar on their blogs.:-D

  • August 27, 2009 at 5:47 am

    #1045446

    I would like having someone who I could bounce information off of them to make sure I am going in the right direction. I do not want someone who just wants to impress me with their knowledge of the latest trend. Mentoring combines listening as well as sharing information with someone. Mentoring is also a growth tool for all involved, from both sides of the process.:-)

  • August 27, 2009 at 6:05 am

    #1045454

    I've been fortunate - when I got started in programming, I was able to work with a few brilliant people who really helped launch my career in software development. Since then, along the way I've been able to work with some other brilliant minds.

    This was really more of a matter of luck vs. formal 'mentoring' program.

    I think a formal program would be great, it's just a matter of planning it and making it work, carving out the time, etc.

  • August 27, 2009 at 6:20 am

    #1045458

    So far I also didn't receive any formal mentoring... but looking back to my past projects definitely few of the PMs influenced the thought process of what the best career could be. But having a mentor definitely puts us on the fast-track.

  • August 27, 2009 at 6:30 am

    #1045464

    I like the 2 or three mentor idea. It's a good idea to occasionally double check what your told if you can only get one mentor.

    Also, consider different mentors for different purposes: 1 mentor for technical issues, another for how to get things done smoothly in the organization (lateral issues), and perhaps a third on how to deal with people above or below you in your "chain of command."

  • August 27, 2009 at 7:13 am

    #1045500

    I had a mentor when I was in washington state, who was brilliant. The problem was, he was brilliant, and he knew it. He decided he wanted to run his own company and just left. I was really getting into data warehousing.

  • August 27, 2009 at 7:27 am

    #1045522

    I run a user group and am mentor to lots of people there. It is stressful sometimes but definitely always worth it. What I would like very much is a technical mentor, someone i can bounce some technical issues or material off of, get suggestions and an idea of where am going with skills (techniaclly). I know a lot of people via PASS who would fit this rle very well but people are very busy and many times somewhat reluctant also to share technical knowledge.

    John your idea is awesome. Havign a specific program with some dedicated time would make a huge difference atleast to me.

    Thanks.

  • August 27, 2009 at 8:36 am

    #1045583

    Does anyone know if their is a Dallas sql users group? If so, when and where does it meet? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated

  • August 27, 2009 at 9:06 am

    #1045617

    Tim Mitchell (blogger/author on this site) is involved in a Fort Worth group, I believe. I'd contact him.

  • August 27, 2009 at 10:43 am

    #1045685

    The hard part is finding someone who is willing to teach. Too often I have found people who would make good mentors are somewhat paranoid about letting any arcane knowledge slip, since that would spread the value around. I have also found that some will blow you off, saying you should learn it on your own ("I'm/we're not here to help you do your homework").

  • August 27, 2009 at 10:48 am

    #1045690

    I am not looking for people to teach me stuff i can learn from books and articles. More like someone to discuss and bounce ideas off of on a more conceptual level. It is amazing how possessive people are in this regard - to share their experiences. I guess perhaps the highly competitive nature of the industry makes it so but i dont know.

  • August 27, 2009 at 10:57 am

    #1045697

    Hickshugh

    Try this link

    http://northtexas.sqlpass.org/

    If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

    Ron

    Please help us, help you -before posting a question please read[/url]
    Before posting a performance problem please read[/url]

  • August 27, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    #1045778

    Thanks, I appreciate the information

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