Finding a Mentor (And How to Be One)

Developers with mentors grow 2x faster. But "Will you be my mentor?" is the wrong question.

How NOT to Ask

"Hi, I admire you. Can you mentor me?" This is asking for a marriage on the first date. It feels like a burden.

The Right Way (The Specific Ask)

"Hi [Name], I read your article on Microservices. I'm trying to implement a similar pattern but stuck on [Specific Problem]. Could I buy you coffee (or Zoom) for 15 mins to ask 2 specific questions?"

Building the Relationship

1. Respect Time: Come prepared.
2. Take Action: If they give advice, DO IT.
3. Report Back: "I tried your suggestion, and it worked! Here are the results."

This feedback loop turns a stranger into a mentor naturally.

Types of Mentors

1. The Senior: 2-3 years ahead of you. Relatable advice.
2. The Expert: 10+ years ahead. Big picture, architecture.
3. The Peer: Same level. Accountability partner.

Why You Should Mentor (Even as a Junior)

"I only have 1 year experience!" Great. You remember the struggle of learning git better than the 10-year veteran. Teaching cements your knowledge. "To teach is to learn twice."

Mentorship in India

The Indian tech ecosystem is open. People want to help. Use Twitter and LinkedIn. Join communities like React India or local meetups.

Don't wait to be "chosen." Choose yourself.