National Mentoring Day takes place each year on 27 October and we think it’s something to celebrate as we recognise the value of mentoring and the benefit it can bring to members.
Whether you are looking to share your experience or take the next step in your personal and professional journey, mentoring offers powerful benefits for both mentors and mentees.
For mentors, it’s a chance to give back, support others and take on new challenges. For mentees, it’s an opportunity to learn from someone more experienced, gain fresh perspectives and work towards meaningful goals.
But before jumping in, it is important to think about what you want to achieve, what support you need (or can offer) and whether you ready to commit the time to make it work. The RTPI career development mentoring platform helps you consider these factors and how to get the most out of mentoring – using tools such as SWOT and GSTAR, to prepare, set SMART goals and build a successful mentoring relationship
A mentor’s perspective: Emma Aldridge
Emma Aldridge is currently a mentor and shares why she became involved in the programme.
“I was inspired to sign up to the RTPI’s mentoring platform as a mentor, as I have previously availed of a mentoring scheme as a mentee and found it extremely beneficial. I had gained a few years’ experience in my career but was unsure how to move forward and progress to the next stage.”
Emma currently mentors two professionals through the RTPI platform, one based in Northern Ireland and one in England.
“The first meeting is all about getting to know each other and seeing if we were the right fit for each other. It’s less about the structure and more about are we able to build that bond to ensure we both get the most out of the experience.
"Although, we are at the early stages of the mentoring process, as early as the first meeting I was able to alleviate some apprehensions my mentees had, as sometimes all it takes is a conversation with someone else to realise how far you have come.”
Emma also highlights how mentoring benefits mentors just as much as mentees.
“I love hearing how other people look at things and perceive them. It is assisting my professional development, as I am building on my communication skills, understanding more about how best to approach topics with more junior members of staff in my job and building on those managerial skills.”
I am always plugging this platform at any events or meetings I am at, as I really do feel both the mentor and the mentee can benefit from it. For mentors it is a great addition to CV building and developing those managerial skills. In my experience, for mentees it is a great opportunity to ask the questions you may be too nervous to ask a manager, to discuss your career progression and build on the skillset you have.”
As Chair of the RTPI NI Executive Committee, Emma encourages more professionals in Northern Ireland to get involved:
“I would love to see more mentees signing up in Northern Ireland as I think it is a fantastic opportunity.”
Carlyn joined the RTPI mentoring programme seeking help with one key question, how to “speak up” while staying true to herself.
“I sat on the fence thinking whether it would be useful or not but decided it can’t hurt to try so why not go for it. In our first meeting, my mentor listened patiently as I shared my worries: When should I speak? How much should I say? What do others think when I stay quiet?
"Then she said something that stuck with me: 'You’re there for a reason'. It was such a simple statement, but it shifted my perspective."
Carlyn says mentoring helped her find quiet confidence and purpose: “I’ll never be the loudest voice in the room and that’s okay. Being in the room is a contribution. I was invited there for a reason. I don’t need to prove my worth with every word.”
She also discovered mentoring’s ripple effect: “Leading with intention has helped me reflect more widely on how and why I work, improving for next time. This not only helps me tweak my approach when things go wrong (or right!) but also helps me bring intentionality to my team.”
How to get involved
The RTPI mentoring programme is open to all members worldwide.
How it works:
- Create and save your profile on the platform.
- Search for mentors with the skills you require.
- Browse matching mentor profiles and send a mentoring request. Once accepted, contact details will appear on your dashboard, and you may schedule your first conversation.
Ready to grow?
Whether you’re ready to guide others or looking for support in your career, the RTPI mentoring platform is here to help you grow.