Mentorship

Honest advice on approaching networking and getting the most from a mentor.

1. Caring, not Networking

   I was given some advice by a friend of mine a few years ago. I was telling them about a professional I was meeting and how I was nervous to talk to them. My friend told me, "They're just a person, why are you worried?" I didn’t fully grasp this concept at the time, and it took me at least a year to finally understand what my friend was trying to tell me. Behind each fancy job title and stacked LinkedIn profile is just a person. So I started to treat each networking opportunity as just another conversation. I ask someone about their day, how they are, or what project they're currently working on.

   It's also easy to forget that the person you're talking to has definitely networked before at some point in their career; they know what it's like in your position. Furthermore, the sustainability sector is unusually mission-driven, with almost everyone in the sector working towards a shared goal. That motivation creates a community that is often very willing to help strangers, because those strangers are working towards the same things they are.

   So in my experience, I've found the way to reframe networking is simply by caring and being curious. Care about the person behind the title, care about their journey, and show genuine interest in what they have to say. Most importantly: listen more than you speak. Things often fall into place and opportunities arise when you spend time listening, learning, and creating a few meaningful connections rather than many surface-level ones.

2. “I have not always found networking easy. Early in my career, I often felt uncomfortable initiating conversations at events… Now, with many years in the profession, I can say with confidence that some of the most valuable insights I have gained, and some of the most enduring relationships I have formed, came from those unplanned, informal conversations.”

3. Why is networking particularly important in sustainability?

   • Everyone in the field is working towards a common goal: networking helps you and other professionals to share insights, best practices, support and expertise which will help to achieve the collective goal.
   • Sustainability is a fast-changing field: it’s impossible for one person to know everything, so networking is crucial for staying informed and making informed decisions.
   • Working in this field can sometimes feel isolating, especially when impacts are not immediately seen. Networking helps you build a support system and community, and a sense of progress.

   Sources: 1, 2

4. Top Tips

   Don't be afraid to follow up - nine times out of ten they were probably busy and missed your message. Just don't harass them, give them some time to reply!

   Keep requests short - make it low commitment and easy for them to say yes (e.g. ask for a 10 minute online call rather than an hour long, in-person coffee chat).

   Do your research - review guest lists or panel speakers in advance of an event so you can pinpoint the 3-4 people it would be most beneficial to talk to. Then look up those people so you can reference their past work in your conversations.

   Keep notes - I cannot tell you how many times my notes from a networking event (however unintelligible to someone else they may be) have helped me follow up in a personalised and meaningful way. Write down the key things you talked about and reference them in your follow up. They probably speak to many people, so it'll make it a lot easier for them to remember you!

   Offer help - networking goes both ways, they’re more likely to help you if you can help them. This is often hard for students or recent graduates with not much experience but even something as little as sharing a useful article you talked about or connecting them with someone in your circle can be super helpful.

5. Finding Mentorship and Maintaining Relationships

   A good mentor can be an invaluable tool to learn from and progress in your career. Their experience can save years of trial and error through a few good conversations and key insights. However knowing how to find and ask for mentorship in a natural way can be challenging. The good news is that it is really not all that different from networking, so all the same advice applies. The main idea is to maintain the relationship (the only real separation from networking) and there are a few mistakes to avoid.

   Firstly, be consistently prepared. Come to each chat with a few focused questions that you really want answered then listen carefully and take notes (I told you very similar to networking). Follow up on things that they recommend and then tell them about it in the next meeting. On the topic of subsequent meetings, don't ask for too much too soon, keep it low-ask to begin with. Equally don't go silent after the first call, maybe follow up a few weeks after the first meeting with a quick update or to ask for another chat.

   If you're stuck on the first step (of actually finding a good mentor) then there are plenty of places to search for them. Try alumni networks and student societies, there are often plenty of professionals willing to help with the bonus of already having a shared connection. There are also plenty of online communities on platforms like LinkedIn where you can meet sustainability professionals all at various stages in their career, often willing to mentor informally. Usually a quick search online or with an AI tool will give you a good idea of what places to start searching. Then find someone who seems active and with experience you could learn from and simply reach out.

6. LinkedIn Top Voices to Follow!

   • Qiyun Woo Climate science and policy communicator, known for visually engaging comic-infographics on her Instagram platform @theweirdandwild. She works at the IPCC as a Senior Communications Manager.
   • Clover Hogan Climate activist and public speaker. Founder of Force of Nature, a non-profit helping young people to turn eco-anxiety into action.
   • David Carlin Sustainability consultant experienced in climate scenario analysis, disclosures, and transition plans. Issues frequent updates on the climate and sustainability sector, and runs “The Digest” newsletter on LinkedIn.
   • George Wade Co-founder of emissions measurement and reporting platform Zevero. Author of the newsletter “The Grumpy Optimist”, which recaps positive climate action every week.