We continue our series of interviews with developers, in which we will talk about training, job search, career growth and relocation. In the second interview, we talk with Epam Systems developer Roman about mentoring: how an experienced mentor can help a junior, where to look for such a pro and what to look for when looking. In this text, we have collected some quotes from Roman that will help you deal with the topic of mentoring.
What is the difference between mentoring and tutoring
Mentoring and tutoring are two different things. Tutoring is a situation when a person comes to you to whom you pay money, and he devotes time to you, who is obliged to give you knowledge. The tutor has an obligation. A mentor is a person who helps, and this help is not always tied to money. A mentor is a person who will show you where to go and what to do.
Where to look for a mentor
If we are talking about the Russian-speaking space, then we have only a few sites. The first is the Ukrainian site Dou : the site has a separate topic on mentoring, you can write there, explain what kind of mentor and for what tasks you are looking for. The second platform is the Russian site "Habr" : this is a technically advanced and serious resource where you can find a mentor. But the best way is to look for a mentor among friends, this is a person with whom there is a personal connection.
Can a mentor give career development advice?
In the process of training, the mentor will be able to understand the strengths and weaknesses of a person and offer him options for career development. At the same time, usually a mentor is a person who develops in one direction and he cannot assess the whole range of directions in which one can develop. I believe that in any case, you need to listen to the mentor, and make a decision on your own. We remind you that in the comments under the video or this post you can leave questions that Roman will answer in the next issues.
