Latest / The Career Mentor Podcast with Fexingo: Finding Mentors, Sponsors, and Career Advisors / How to Find a Mentor Through Volunteering
Transcript
- Lucas: So Luna, we've done a lot of episodes on finding mentors through networking events, LinkedIn cold outreach, even reverse mentorship. But there's one channel that keeps coming up in listener emails that we haven't really dug into yet: volunteering. Luna: Volunteering? Like, helping at a food bank and hoping a CEO shows up? Lucas: Sort of, but it's more strategic than that. I've been looking at how people land mentors through nonprofit boards, community projects, professional associations, even pro bono work. And the data is pretty compelling. A few years back, LinkedIn ran a survey that found nearly eighty percent of professionals consider volunteering important for career advancement, and a big chunk of them said they'd met a mentor or sponsor through volunteer work. Luna: That's a huge number. Why does it work so well? I'd think you'd be too busy actually doing the work to network. Lucas: That's exactly the point. When you're volunteering, you're not in networking mode. You're just being useful. And that changes the dynamic completely. Instead of asking someone for advice over a coffee where they're bracing for an ask, you're side by side with them on a committee, solving a problem. The pressure is off, and the relationship builds naturally. Luna: So it's like a low-stakes environment where you can actually be yourself. I can see how that'd be more authentic. Lucas: Right. And here's a concrete example. I was reading about a marketing manager named Priya who was stuck in her career, feeling like she'd plateaued. She was great at her job but couldn't seem to break into leadership. So she started volunteering on the board of a local arts nonprofit. She wasn't there to network, she actually cared about the organization. But within six months, she'd been paired with the board's treasurer, a retired CFO, as part of a governance committee. That guy took an interest in her because she was sharp, reliable, and clearly had potential. They started meeting informally after board meetings to talk about strategy, and eventually he became her mentor. She credits that relationship with helping her land a director-level role at a tech company. Luna: That's a great story. And it makes sense—you're demonstrating skills in a real context, not just talking about them on a resume. Lucas: Exactly. And that's the thing, volunteering lets you show, not tell. You're not trying to impress anyone with your title or your LinkedIn profile. You're just doing the work. And the people you're working with, they see your judgment, your work ethic, your communication style. That's way more useful for a potential mentor to evaluate than a thirty-minute coffee chat. Luna: So what kind of volunteering are we talking about? I mean, should I go plant trees or like, join a committee? Lucas: It depends on what you're looking for. If you want to meet senior leaders, nonprofit boards are a great bet. They're often populated with executives, lawyers, accountants, people with decades of experience. And they're usually looking for younger professionals to bring fresh perspectives, especially on things like marketing, tech, or social media. That's how Priya got in—she had the digital skills the board needed. Luna: So you're not just making copies or stuffing envelopes. You're actually contributing something that matters. Lucas: Right. And if you're in a more technical field, pro bono projects can be just as effective. I know a software engineer who volunteered to build a website for a local shelter. The shelter's director was a former tech executive, and they ended up having lunch every few weeks to talk about the project. That turned into a mentorship that helped him navigate his career path. He was in his twenties, and suddenly he had a direct line to someone who'd been a CTO. Luna: That's a pretty solid return on a few hours a week. Lucas: And here's the thing, it's not just about meeting one person. When you're on a board or a committee, you're part of a network. You get introduced to other people, you get invited to events, you get visibility. It's like a multiplier effect. One hour of volunteering can lead to three or four new connections, and any of those could turn into a mentor. Luna: So how do you actually choose the right volunteer opportunity? I don't want to end up at a soup kitchen and never talk to anyone outside the kitchen. Lucas: Good question. Look for organizations where you can work alongside the leadership, not just on the ground. A board position is ideal, but even a committee role can work. Also, think about what skills you want to develop. If you're a finance person, volunteer for the finance committee. If you're in marketing, offer to help with their communications. That way, you're doing something you're good at, and you're naturally going to interact with people who have more experience. Luna: So it's like a two-for-one: you're doing good, and you're developing skills that might transfer to your job. Lucas: Absolutely. And there's another angle, volunteering can also help you explore a different industry. If you're thinking about a career change, volunteering in that field is a low-risk way to test it out and meet people who work there. I've seen people transition from corporate jobs to nonprofit leadership because of connections they made through volunteering. Luna: That's smart. You're not just finding a mentor, you're potentially finding a whole new path. Lucas: Exactly. And you know, this whole conversation reminds me of something. We talk a lot on this show about how important it is to find the right mentor, but we also want to make sure that the content we produce is sustainable. If you've gotten any value from these episodes, whether it's a new idea or a different way to approach your career, consider supporting us. A couple of dollars a month is genuinely what keeps these going. You can do that at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Luna: Yeah, every little bit helps, and it keeps the show ad-free, which we love. Lucas: But back to volunteering. Once you've found a volunteer role, how do you actually turn it into a mentorship? You can't just say, hey, I need a mentor, right? Luna: Right, that would be awkward. How does that transition happen? Lucas: It's subtle. You start by asking for feedback on your work. Like after a board meeting, you might say, I'd love to hear your thoughts on how I presented that budget report. That opens the door to a conversation. And then you can follow up with a coffee invitation, just to chat more. The key is to make it about learning, not about asking for a job or a title. Luna: So you're building the relationship first, and the mentorship label comes later, or maybe never even needs to be said. Lucas: Exactly. And sometimes it's more formal than that. Some organizations have structured mentorship programs for their volunteers. For example, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a mentoring component, but even smaller nonprofits might pair new board members with experienced ones. That's a built-in mentorship situation. Luna: That's a good point. So it can be organic, but you can also look for programs that have that structure built in. Lucas: Right. And I should also mention, the mentor doesn't have to be older or more senior. Sometimes a peer can be a great mentor in a specific area. Volunteering can connect you with people who have complementary skills, and you can learn from each other. That's a form of mentorship too. Luna: So it's not just about finding a sage on the stage. It's about building a network of people you can learn from, at all levels. Lucas: Exactly. And I think that's the real takeaway here. Volunteering is a low-pressure, high-reward way to build relationships that can lead to mentorship. It's not about transactional networking. It's about genuine connection through shared purpose. And that's something we could all use a little more of, both in our careers and in our lives. Luna: I love that. So if someone's listening and they're thinking about trying this, what's the first step you'd recommend? Lucas: Start by making a list of causes you care about. Then look at their websites, see if they have board or committee positions open. Or reach out to the volunteer coordinator and ask how you can get involved in a way that uses your professional skills. Don't just sign up for any task. Be intentional about it. Luna: And be patient, I imagine. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a mentorship. Lucas: Right. It takes time. But the relationships you build through volunteering tend to be deeper and more lasting than those you'd make at a networking event. And that's worth the investment. Luna: Well, I'm convinced. I'm going to look into volunteering with a local literacy program. I've been thinking about it for a while, and now I have another reason to do it. Lucas: That's great. And who knows, you might find your next mentor there. Let us know how it goes. Luna: I will. And if any listeners have their own volunteering turned mentorship story, we'd love to hear it.