Would you like to work on Wall Street as an analyst, or would you prefer to work as a new product development manager in an international firm? Given your talents, you can take either path and be successful.” This is what I recently told a rising senior engineering major and entrepreneurship minor who had come to me for advice. I may very well have be his first career mentor, helping him make important decisions about life after college. As someone who helps guide his professional pathway, explores and provides various opportunities and inspires him to use his strengths and talents, I am vested in his success.

Frequently, undergraduates ask me how to find a career mentor. My advice is to look for an individual who offers encouragement and sound advice, freely offers time, talent and resources, and provides meaningful insight into career pathways. Professors, intern supervisors, a parent, a childhood friend or a family friend may serve as the initial pool of career mentor candidates. You may want to reach out to someone you respect from a distance but do not currently know. As you build a purposeful relationship with a mentor, you will need to cultivate the relationship. 

Here are some of my very best tips on how to do it.

1. Request challenging learning experiences 

After returning from a leadership development program, a rising junior wanted to strengthen his negotiation tactics so he asked me for an introduction to a senior manager. After the meeting, he said, “Seeing how I handled myself gave me more self-confidence and, when the vice president offered to visit the chapter house to meet the undergraduates, I realized that my brothers would also benefit from my learning experience.”  

2. Seek constant feedback for ongoing improvement

A rising junior who I have mentored since he was my student in his freshmen year met with me to ask for more detailed feedback. Competitive and self-assured, he found it easy to ask for feedback on ways to achieve more. I’ve observed this man setting specific goals to move himself out of his comfort zone while seeking feedback on his behavior during the execution of highly demanding goals.   

3. Question the obvious to explore different possibilities  

A rising senior who holds a significant leadership position in the chapter consistently questions career development suggestions that I offer. Holding high standards and a determined attitude, he asks questions with eager curiosity and is open to explore different viewpoints. As a result of our dynamic conversations, we collaborate to find unique paths, acknowledging and rejecting the accepted paradigms while defining innovative choices based on his professional goals and interests. 

4. Express sincere gratitude 

A rising senior sent a hand-written thank you note that ignited more fire in my desire to serve as a mentor to undergraduates. My mentee quoted John F. Kennedy’s words: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” His gratitude reaffirmed my time spent and contributions.  

And now, your 21-day challenge: take action! 

Upon learning about the value of a career mentor, one of my students reached out to legendary investor Carl Icahn with a question about CEO pay and, much to his surprise, Mr. Icahn responded with an answer. The lesson learned is to make a specific request. In addition to receiving an answer to a specific question, the interaction made my student practice effective communication skills with a highly accomplished individual. The interactions ended as soon as my student stopped corresponding. Another lesson learned is that the mentee is responsible for keeping the exchange alive and to cultivate the relationship.  

Over the next 21 days, take action to find your first career mentor and practice skills to cultivate a purposeful relationship. Identify someone you want to reach out to for advice.  And, reach out with a specific request. Listen to the response, interact and follow up so you can create meaningful engagement.  

Your career mentor can provide learning experiences, feedback and encouragement. Your first interaction is the first step that offers hope as you take yourself to the next level of success. 

Sharon Wulf is an entrepreneur, business professor and faculty fellow for the Massachusetts Beta Chapter at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Last year she received the 2014 Worcester Polytechnic Institute Board of Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Teaching. She can be reached at sawulf@wpi.edu.