While learning to code is a lot of fun, it can also be fraught with stress and confusion. Having the assistance of an experienced mentor to help you navigate your journey is invaluable. In addition, mentors can provide a means of achieving your career goals. Here are 7 ways a mentor can accelerate your career in technology.

Immediate Answers

If you have ever written code, you know that the slightest coding error can cause a program to crash. This can lead to panic and frustration. During these times it seems that answers can not come quick enough, that is, if you find a solution at all. When you are working with a mentor, not only will they be able to answer questions, they can help further by showing you how to implement any changes that are needed.

Help in Avoiding Pitfalls

Mentors can provide valuable advice on ways to avoid common pitfalls. After all, your mentor was once a pupil, and there is a good chance that they have encountered some of the same issues that could hinder your progression. When working closely with a mentor, they may be able to foresee problem areas, and prevent you from making the same mistakes they made.

Motivation

Let’s be honest, a lack of motivation is something that plagues all of us from time to time. In moments of indecisiveness, when you are torn between learning to code or watching a movie on the couch, a mentor can provide the motivation you need to get back in front of the editor. In addition, mentors will often put together study materials and test projects, to ensure that you are continuing to progress.

Customized Learning

One of the disadvantages of learning in a classroom setting is the lack of individualized attention. When working with a mentor, you can discuss both your short-term and long-term goals, and together create a customized plan for achieving success. In this way, you can avoid spending time learning needless material, and focus on the areas that will aid you in the future.

Help with the Unknown

Coding languages can be mysterious, and at times, downright confusing. Even if you have only been coding for a short time, you have probably encountered errors or other issues that seemingly have no cause. When you are unaware of the origin of the problem, then you may be left wondering where to begin solving it. A mentor can help demystify unknown errors, and present them to you in a way that is easy to understand.

Career Advice and Connections

The best career advice comes from someone who is currently working in the field, and coding mentors are no exception. If you are looking for advice as to which career path is right for you, and more specifically, which languages and software you should focus on learning to achieve your goals, there is no one better to ask than your mentor. Not only can they offer career advice, but there is a chance that they will have connections in the industry that could help you land a job.

Real-World Experience

While studying can prepare you for many situations you may face in the real-world, there are times when unique obstacles arise that do not have a concrete solution. Coding mentors can provide you with real-world examples of challenges that you may be forced to overcome, so you will be confident in a similar situation.

As we’ve seen, there are multiple reasons to consider using a mentor to help further your tech career. Mentors can provide immediate answers to problems that could take hours to solve without the proper direction and show you things you didn’t even know you didn’t know. In addition, mentors can help keep you motivated and on the path toward securing the job you have always dreamed of.