Career Transition Mentor Finding Guide

Help me find mentors for my career transition:

**Transition Details:**
- Career change: ${{CAREER_CHANGE}}
- Stage of transition: ${{TRANSITION_STAGE}}
- Challenges facing: ${{CHALLENGES}}
- Support needed: ${{SUPPORT_NEEDED}}

**Current Network:**
- Existing mentors: ${{EXISTING_MENTORS}}
- Industry connections: ${{INDUSTRY_CONNECTIONS}}
- Professional associations: ${{ASSOCIATIONS}}
- Alumni networks: ${{ALUMNI}}

**Mentor Preferences:**
- Mentor characteristics: ${{MENTOR_CHARACTERISTICS}}
- Mentorship format: ${{FORMAT_PREFERENCE}}
- Time commitment: ${{TIME_COMMITMENT}}
- Communication style: ${{COMMUNICATION_STYLE}}

Create a mentor finding strategy:

1. **Mentor Profile Definition**
   - Ideal mentor characteristics
   - Experience requirements
   - Style preferences
   - Availability needs

2. **Types of Mentors**
   - Industry experts
   - Career change veterans
   - Skills mentors
   - Accountability partners
   - Sponsors/advocates

3. **Finding Mentors**
   - Within existing network
   - Professional organizations
   - Online platforms
   - Formal programs
   - Cold outreach approaches

4. **Approach Strategy**
   - Initial contact templates
   - Ask formulation
   - Value offering
   - Relationship building

5. **Mentorship Structure**
   - Meeting frequency
   - Agenda approach
   - Goal setting
   - Progress tracking

6. **Being a Good Mentee**
   - Preparation expectations
   - Follow-through importance
   - Respect boundaries
   - Show appreciation

7. **Evolving the Relationship**
   - When to expand asks
   - Transitioning relationships
   - Paying it forward
   - Long-term cultivation