Do you believe in career mentors or self-learning?

[olivia.wong]

I've been thinking a lot about how people actually grow in their careers. Some swear by having a great mentor, while others say self-leanring and experience are the best teachers.
Personally, I've learned a ton just by figuring things out on my own (thank you, YouTube and online courses ), but I can't deny that having someone experienced to guide you could speed things up and help you avoid mistakes.

So I'm curious. Do you think having a career mentor really makes a difference, or do you prefer the self-taught, trial-and-error route?
Have you ever had a mentor who changed your career path, or did you get further by taking initiative and teaching yourself?

Would love to hear which approach worked better for you - and why!

 

[ethan.murphy]

I totally get where you're coming from - I've learned a lot on my own too, and there's something satisfying about figuring things out through trial and error. But I've also seen how having the rgiht mentor can really fast-track your growth, especiall when they've already been through the challenges you're facing. It's like getting a shortcut past some of the painful mistakes. I think the ideal setup might be a mix of both. using self-learning to build your skills and curiosity, while having a mentor to offer perspective and feedback. Have you ever had someone you considered a "mentor" even informally, like a boss or a peer who gave you great advice?

 

[jackson_cole]

I think having a mentor can make a big diifference, especially early on. they can help you avoid mistakes, introducey ou to opportunities, and give advice you might not figure out on your own. That said, I've also learned a ton through trial and error and self-teaching; there's something valuable about figuring things out firsthand. Personally, a mix works best for me: I've had mentors who guided me on major decisions, but I still rely heavily on self-directed learning to fill gaps and experiment.

 

[rosskayla]

I've picked up a ton through self-learning, but having a mentor took things to another level. Mine didn't just give advice, they helped me spot blind spots and encouraged me to push further than I would've on my own. That said, I think both are essential: mentorship gives you guidance and perspective, while self-learning keeps you curious and adaptable. Relying too much on one or the other can limit how far you grow.

 

[logan_evans]

I've kind of done both, honestly. Early on, I relied a lot on self-learning, tons of YouTube tutorials, online courses, and just experimenting through trial and error. But when I finally found a mentor in my field, things clicked faster. They helped me see blind spots I didn't even realize I had. I still think self-learning is crucial, but pairing it with guidance makes a huge difference. I even use platforms like MentorCruise and GrowthMentor now to connect with people who've been where I want to go, it's lkie having a shortcut without skpping the lessons.

 

[mattcarter]

I've actually done a mix of both, and I'd say having a mentor can really accelerate things. I had one early in my career who gave me advice that saved me from a few costly mistakes and helped me focus on the skills that mattered most. That said, a lot of my growth came from teachnig myself through online courses and experimenting with side projects-I even track my progress and skills in Notion, which makes it easier to see what's actually working. Honestly, I think combining both approaches gives the biggest boost.

 

[moses843]

Honestly, both matter. Self-teaching builds confidence and real skills, but a good mentor can save you years by helping you avoid dumb mistakes and see the bigger picture. Best combo is learning on your own plus getting advice from someone a step or two ahead of you.

 

[johnloother]

I think both matter honestly — mentors can save you years of mistakes, but self-learning builds confidence and independence. The best growth usually comes from combining both. I’ve learned a lot online myself, especially by finding affordable courses and resources through Ritecoupons while improving my skills step by step.