Canadian Lawyer 4Students

2 Sign up for mentorship programs While it's important for students to find a mentor on their own, they should also take advantage of existing mentorship programs, says Wolters. "If you're summering or articling in a firm or with the government or a non-profit organization that has a formal mentorship program, enrol in it and take full advantage." In addition, informal mentorship should augment formal mentorship. An informal mentor can even be someone you observe at work to see how they conduct themselves professionally, says Wolters. Holmes Skinner says she benefitted greatly from U of T law school's Peer Mentorship Program, both as a mentee and mentor. As a mentee, she says it was a relief to know she had someone to talk to in first year. As a mentor, she says she formed really meaningful relationships and it was rewarding to give back. Osgoode student Rebecca Lockwood says she is convinced mentorship forms more naturally than formally, but she noted there's an advantage to formal programs as well. "Mentorship programs and introductions work wonderfully in getting the ball rolling and putting you in touch with the right people," she wrote in her 4Students column. 4 Take the plunge If you want a mentor, it's up to you to take the initiative. You're not owed a mentor, says Lightstone, you have to work hard to get one. "Find people within your community or within the area of practice that you're interested in and approach them," says Garcia. "I tend to find that people are really good about that and really want to provide people with a helping hand." Get out of your comfort zone, he adds. "A lot of people are too nervous or too shy to ask. The reality is once you develop those networks, I find if you just get up there and talk to somebody, you'll strike a relationship right away and people tend to be very good about investing their time and their interest in your career," he says. When meeting someone for the first time, make sure you get their card and follow up with them later on, says Holmes Skinner. Try calling or e-mailing the person to ask for guidance in a specific area of the law, she says, then start to build the relationship from there. 5 3 Be wise in your approach If going up to someone and bluntly asking if he or she will be your mentor isn't the wisest move, how should you approach them? "While asking a stranger to be a mentor rarely, if ever, works, approaching a stranger with a pointed, well-thoughtout inquiry can yield results," wrote Sandberg. In other words, you have to earn your mentor, says Lightstone. "If you want a mentor, you have to show that you're willing, eager, and capable. It's just not enough to go out and say, 'I need a mentor,'" she says. Your mentor needs to see you in action so find a way to demonstrate your capabilities, she says. "Find a way that you can get to know someone through your work. Particularly in law school there are opportunities to volunteer, there are opportunities to work outside of [the classroom]," says Lightstone. "Intuitively, people invest in those who stand out for their talent or who can really benefit from help. Mentors continue to invest when mentees use their time well and are truly open to feedback," wrote Sandberg. Be professional Keep in mind that a mentorship is a professional relationship. "The legal professional mentor is not your best friend," says Wolters. Sandberg echoes the sentiment: "It may turn into a friendship, but the foundation is a professional relationship." Holmes Skinner considers one of her mentors a close friend as they have a very candid relationship, but she says it's important to let your mentor dictate the tone of the relationship. Part of being professional is being prepared, says Lightstone. "Don't waste your mentor's time, assume that your mentor has very limited time," she says. "Come prepared with specific questions [and] don't be afraid to ask questions." C A N A D I A N Law yer 4 students fall 2013 15

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