6 Benefits of Mentoring Young Marketers

This post was written by Setup CEO and Founder, Joe Koufman.

I have always believed that we are responsible as marketers (and humans) to pass on our wisdom to the next generation.

I was extremely humbled recently to be awarded the first-ever Jana Ferguson Mentorship Award at the 66th AMY Awards, which is the American Marketing Association - Atlanta Chapter annual celebration of the finest marketers in Atlanta and the Southeast.

While I have never participated in a formal mentorship program, I find myself mentoring in other arenas of life from working directly with young marketers to serving on the board of the Digital Marketing program at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

In my experience, mentors benefit just as much (if not more) as mentees from the relationship in six key ways:

Getting Fresh Perspectives: Mentors can gain insights and ideas from mentees that help keep the mentor sharp. I continue to be inspired by fresh ideas that come particularly from a young entrepreneur I mentor. She just sees the world differently from me!
Enhancing Leadership: Coaching a young marketer helps hone leadership skills that apply to improve the mentor’s other relationships and day-to-day habits. I have become a better leader by dedicating time to helping mentors solve their challenges.
Developing Network: By working closely with a mentee, mentors have the opportunity to meet new people and expand their network. These new relationships can lead to new business opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations. Several of my mentees have introduced me to new connections that led to business. This is not the goal, but it is a nice side benefit.
Learning Skills: Mentors can benefit from leveling-up their skills and better understand emerging trends and technologies from the presumably younger mentee. The best example that comes to mind is learning new lingo so that I can better relate to younger generations.
Gaining Personal Fulfillment: Helping younger marketers progress in their careers provides the mentor with personal satisfaction and a sense of pride as a mentee achieves career milestones. Some of the students who I coached ten years ago have moved into Director-level marketing positions. Seeing their promotions celebrated on LinkedIn makes me feel like a proud papa-bear.
Building a Legacy: Passing on knowledge to the next generation of marketing leaders leaves a legacy that encourages the mentees and others to follow in the mentor’s footsteps. I was recently told by a mentee of mine that my mentorship of him and others IS my legacy. It makes me proud to think that I will be remembered for making a difference in the lives of others.

Mentoring young marketers is beneficial not only for the mentee but also for the mentor. It is an opportunity to get fresh perspectives, enhance leadership, develop their network, learn skills, gain personal fulfillment, and build a legacy.

My plea in my AMY Award acceptance speech was to find a young marketer and help them. Doing so will benefit the mentor as much, if not more, than the mentee.

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6 Benefits of Mentoring Young Marketers

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