Emerging Professionals

At last week's AICPA Women's Global Leadership Summit, one theme kept coming up over and over: mentorship matters more than we realize.

A stat shared from Mentorcliq really stood out to me:
👉 83% of mentors and mentees say mentoring increases their desire to stay with their organization.

And honestly, after talking with attendees, I'm not surprised. Nearly everyone I spoke with said mentorship played a major role in helping them grow, stay motivated, and reach their career goals.

But everyone's journey looks a little different - so I'd love to hear from this group:

✨ Have you had a mentor (formal or informal)?
How did that relationship begin? Were you matched, or did you find them on your own?

✨ Did mentorship help shape the path you're on today?
Any standout advice that stayed with you?

✨ If you're currently searching for a mentor, where are you looking?
Internal programs? Professional groups? Conferences? Pure networking?

Whether you're 1 year or 15 years into your accounting career, your experience could really help someone else in this group.

Can't wait to hear your stories.

------------------------------
Bee Nance
Finance Director/Head of Finance
The Better Angels Society
Katy TX
7049418822
------------------------------

Bee, I love this question!

I have had a few formal mentoring experiences (I'm in year 20 of my career; in this group to assist Lexi!).  I've found them when people have reached out to me directly in some cases, but also when their leaders have reached out to me to ask me to mentor one of their staff members.  The latter has happened twice in the past year, and I think that's a really good way to get started.  I never would have thought to find a mentor for one of my team members, but now that I've seen it happen, I think that's a really great way to help new staff build connections!

The challenge I generally face is that smaller companies I've worked for havent had a formal mentor program, so it can be hard to figure out where to start; additionally, if you're at a very small firm, you may need to look for a mentor outside the organization, which can also be challenging.  I'd love to hear anyone's advice on how to make that happen.

PS - If anyone is interested in a mentor program here in the future, please do let me know; I'd love to see that happen in our long term roadmap and I'm happy to take your feedback!

------------------------------
Reon Sines-Sheaff
------------------------------

I've had several mentors throughout my career! Some were based on formal programs through college programs or employers and others just organically developed over time. I've also learned that some people can serve as mentors for short periods of your life or be situational mentors to you while others may be along for the entire journey.

One of the most impactful mentors that I've had has been Jim Metzler, who is a retired VP - Small Firms here at the Association. Jim created a Leadership Academy program at my old firm that I eventually Chaired and ran after his retirement for a few years. Jim was actually the one who introduced me to the benefits of being an AICPA member and how to make the most of my membership. Through Jim's mentorship, I applied and was accepted into the AICPA Leadership Academy and two years later now I work for AICPA! Now I get to work with many brilliant professionals at AICPA who were actually hired by Jim Metzler, including our President and CEO, Mark Koziel!

The main advice that Jim has given me over the years and empowers me to do each and every day is to believe in myself, have confidence, take risks, and work in an area that I am passionate about! 

------------------------------
Lexi Weber
------------------------------

Absolutely so. Without guidance from mentors, even the most gifted individuals with a burning desire to succeed may fall short of their true potential. Every talent is a seeker, and only with the nurturing hand of a mentor can that talent truly blossom.

.  

------------------------------
Ibrahim Osmanu
Scancom Ltd
Accra
+233244304362
------------------------------

Sharing my experience from my previous company:

For formal mentorship, I was assigned a mentor when I first started. Honestly, it helped me a lot in adapting to my role. That guidance even played a big part in me becoming a top-performing staff member (not my words!).

For informal mentorship, I had a goal of moving into a managerial role, so I reached out to one of the managers who was easy to approach and asked him to show me the ropes. Unfortunately, he left the company before I could learn much.

So, I really believe mentorship can help people grow and stay motivated.

------------------------------
Mohamad Amirul Asyraf Bin Tengah
------------------------------