Chip Brown ⋅ Durham, NC IBM ⋅ 25 years experience

Hi Jianxing, You'll know if you trust the person and build a solid relationship with them. Also don't limit yourself to one mentor, get different perspectives and opinions from multiple mentors and don't forget about friends and family. They too are great resources. I would suggest you apply for the ACP mentor program.

Christopher Lamb ⋅ Houston, TX IBM ⋅ 10 years experience

Hello! My recommendation is to not be afraid to start in an entry level position. When I first started in IT I took a job offer for an entry level position at a large IT company, while going to college, serving in the reserves, and trying to raise a family. Find what you are passionate about, study it, learn it and be prepared to throw it away if it doesn't end up being what you expected. Your goal is to find what you are good at and what you enjoy doing.

Lindsey Colvin ⋅ Apex, NC IBM ⋅ 5 years experience

Hello. Great advice from Bob. Adding to it:

Personally, my approach for mentorship is to let it happen naturally. Talk to people, and you'll find that it's easier to talk to some people than others. The most important thing in my mentoring relationships is authenticity and comfort. I want to feel that I can trust that person enough to speak openly and honestly, and that I will get the same in their responses.

One of my favorite mentors came from me simply asking a couple curious (but challenging) questions.

Robert Hayes ⋅ Woodcliff Lake, NJ IBM ⋅ 6 years experience

Hi Jianxing, I think that once you've answered Bob's questions and have an idea of your path forward, you should apply for the ACP mentorship program. I participated in this program when I transitioned out of the military and found it to be incredibly helpful and rewarding. My experience was so positive that I now participate in the program as a mentor.

Carl Voss ⋅ Eyota, MN IBM ⋅ 21 years experience

I've tried different mentoring programs through the years with limited success. I have found that organic mentor relationships seem to bear more fruit. By organic, I mean something that wasn't necessary intended to be a mentoring relationship, but develops into one. How does that happen? I don't have a playbook answer, but the first step is always networking.

Susan Congiu ⋅ Southbury, CT IBM ⋅ 25 years experience

HI Jianxing- Check out https://www.ibm.com/skills/ I highly recommend checking out free training and even obtaining a badge. The skills you can explore by the links for job seekers as well as cool technologies like Cloud as well as Business Strategy. There are IBM Events, Meetups, Training that you can also check out and register for. It is not only the skills that you will learn but the connections that you will make through your initiative. Good luck!

Bob Fesler ⋅ Matthews, NC IBM ⋅ 37 years experience

Hi Jianxing, Do you have a specific area of interest that you are looking for the mentor in? If you have not gotten that far then the 1st best thing to do is take a pause and determine where your passion lies going forward? Do you want to use the skills you have obtained in the military or do you want to start out fresh in something new?