"Is your mentorship still serving you—or is it time to move on?"

Mentorship is meant to support your growth, but not every mentorship relationship is built to last. As your goals evolve, a once-valuable mentor may no longer align with your career direction. Staying in a mentorship that isn’t working can hold you back, create frustration, & even hinder your ability to seek new guidance that better fits your needs.

Knowing when to walk away isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a sign of growth. Just as mentorship begins with intention, ending a mentorship should be a thoughtful & respectful process.

📌 Signs It’s Time to Walk Away:

✔️ Misaligned Goals: Your mentor’s expertise no longer aligns with where you’re headed in your career or personal development.

✔️ Lack of Engagement: If your mentor has become unresponsive, disinterested, or no longer invests time in your growth, the relationship may have run its course.

✔️ Toxic Dynamics: If the mentorship feels draining, overly critical, or unproductive, it’s worth reevaluating whether it’s still a positive influence.

✔️ You’ve Outgrown the Relationship: If you find that you’re no longer gaining new insights or growth from the mentorship, it may be time to seek fresh perspectives.

✔️ The Relationship Feels One-Sided: A great mentorship should involve mutual respect & engagement. If you’re always chasing after your mentor for advice or feel undervalued, it might be time to move on.

How to End It Gracefully:

✔️ Express Gratitude for Their Time and Guidance: Acknowledge their role in your journey & how their support has helped you grow.

✔️ Be Honest About Why the Mentorship is No Longer a Fit: Whether your goals have changed or you need a different kind of guidance, transparency ensures clarity & respect.

✔️ Leave the Door Open for Future Collaborations: Ending a mentorship doesn’t mean cutting ties—keep the relationship positive in case your paths cross again.

✔️ Keep It Professional and Respectful: If the conversation feels difficult, focus on appreciation rather than critique. Frame it as a natural transition rather than a rejection.

Why It Matters:

Mentorship is about evolution, not obligation. Walking away from a mentorship that no longer serves you allows you to seek new perspectives, continue your growth, & make space for the right guidance at the right time. Holding onto a mentorship out of loyalty or fear of change can limit your opportunities. Knowing when to move on—& doing so respectfully—ensures that both you &your mentor can continue growing in ways that make sense for your respective journeys.

Summary:

Walking away from a mentorship isn’t failure—it’s a necessary step in your growth. The best mentorships evolve over time, & when they no longer align with your path, it’s okay to move on. By recognizing the signs, ending the relationship with gratitude, & leaving the door open for future collaboration, you ensure a smooth & professional transition. Don’t let outdated mentorships hold you back—embrace change & keep growing.

💡 Have you ever had to step away from a mentorship? How did you handle it? Let’s discuss!

Hello, im a 46m that has been in the same industry for over 25 years. Working for someone that takes advantage of willing to go above and beyond but makes the job so flexible its hard to move on. I have skills in other areas but have never taken the leap to make my own dreams come true because of the financial responsibilities i have and the need for the job. If there is any assistance that can be offered in way of mentorship please let me know!

that's about it. I am 4+ xp software engineer in my 30's with my wife and kids and i feel directionless and sometimes even scared. Between my deteriorating health due to 12 hour of work and travel with very tight income and supporting my family I can't seem to catch a break. I feel I need a really good luck to survive the upcoming months. I have applied in countless companies the past few months and those who interviewed just ghosted me after the process. I fear that I won't be able to support my daughters education or her wellbeing. I fear that I'll die before she could even be ready to face the hardship of the world. I need genuine guidelines here and those who aren't interested or just want to give advise please avoid this post entirely.

Has anyone taken the nine month boot camp course through the program above? I’d like to hear experiences and if it’s worth perusing since I’m new in this without experience and trying to figure life out. (It was either this or medical… medical in my opinion is significantly harder due to memorization of science classes that take a toll on remembering every little thing)

Hey everyone,

I'm new to copy trading on Solana and looking for someone experienced who can guide me through the process. I’m willing to pay for your time and expertise. Ideally, I’d love to learn the best strategies, platforms, and risk management techniques.

If you're experienced in copy trading and open to mentoring a beginner, please reach out! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Hello all

im new here and was wondering if anyone in Australia on this group has signed up with the Coraggio advisors. They sound professional and was hoping to get some pros and cons about anyone's experience with them. TIA

"Your mentor isn’t your therapist—here’s why that mindset is holding you back."

It’s natural to want to share frustrations or seek emotional support in a mentorship relationship, but treating your mentor like a therapist can derail the purpose of mentorship. Mentors are there to help you grow professionally, navigate challenges, & develop actionable strategies—not to help you process deep personal struggles. While they may offer empathy & encouragement, their focus should remain on guiding your career or personal development goals.

Confusing mentorship with therapy risks turning meetings into venting sessions instead of productive discussions. This can create frustration for both parties & prevent you from making real progress. Mentorship works best when it’s goal-driven & forward-focused, empowering you to take actionable steps toward growth. Emotional challenges unrelated to your career are best addressed with a trained therapist, leaving mentorship for professional development.

What to Do Instead:

·  Keep Discussions Goal-Oriented & Focused:
Before each session, prepare a list of topics or questions related to your professional goals. This ensures the conversation stays productive & actionable.

·  Seek Therapy for Emotional Challenges Unrelated to Your Career:
If you’re dealing with emotional struggles or personal issues, don’t expect your mentor to fill that role. Therapy provides the right tools & expertise for those challenges.

·  Use Mentorship to Gain Clarity on Actionable Steps Forward:
Focus on how your mentor can help you identify solutions to challenges, improve skills, or navigate career transitions.

· Respect the Boundaries of the Relationship:
Understand the difference between personal and professional support & ensure the mentorship dynamic remains professional & respectful.

·  Frame Challenges in Terms of Solutions, Not Problems:
Instead of venting about a difficult boss or workplace issue, ask for advice on how to improve communication or navigate the situation effectively.

Summary:
Mentorship isn’t therapy—it’s a partnership designed to help you grow, learn, and achieve your goals. While emotional support may occasionally come into play, the focus should remain on professional development and actionable guidance. Keeping discussions goal-oriented, respecting boundaries, and seeking therapy for emotional challenges ensures that mentorship remains productive and impactful. By using your mentor’s time and expertise wisely, you can create a relationship that drives meaningful progress. Remember, mentorship is about growth, not venting—approach it with a clear purpose, and the results will follow. Follow us for more strategies to make your mentorship journey successful and transformative!

Hello everyone,

I am a male, 39 years old. Married, father of 2.

I am looking for some advice and wisdom. 3 months ago I left a good paying job due to the incredible amount of stress I was under. I was never home for my young kids and was generally unhappy with the work. The salary allowed me to provide for my family financially, but I was never home and when I was, I was emotionally unavailable for my wife and 2 kids.

I am at a bit of a crossroads, and would appreciate any advice as I return to the workforce.

I am currently considering an apprenticeship opportunity that offers a 4 day work week, which would allow me more time with my family, however the pay isn't great, and would never amount to the money I was making at my former job.

My question is, should I return to an industry that pays well and allows me to povide opportunities for my children, but is personally unfulfilling and stressful? Or pursue something that is more fulfilling, but would put me more in a position of living paycheck to paycheck?

Part of me feels guilty for considering this as I know a father's job is to provide for his family. The other part knows how fast kids grow up and I want to be a part of that, know my kids, have a relationship with them, and not miss out. At my former job I was working all the time and never home for the first 5 years of their life, and I feel like I missed so much.

Thanks for reading this far and for any wisdom or advice you have to offer.

Hello Everyone, my name is Joseph (27M).

Since 2017, I've been working in the field of Asset Protection and to be completely honest, ever since I've had a child (2 years ago), I've been wanting to get out of the position, but I feel stuck financially.

The position used to be more than a job, personally. It was a way for me to get out of situation my family had me in when I was a child but now, I've grown to become burnt out.

My struggle is finding a position that I enjoy while also keeping my same pay which is $28 (obviously isn't a lot but it is with minimal certifications).

Hi,

I am very interested in the stock market, specifically gold trading, though I enjoy the whole market overall. I've spent the past few months reaching out to traders in the UK, some of whom have written books and had great success in their trading careers. I harnessed all the advice I could from them and wanted to further this by finding a mentor who might have the time to trade with me and really show me the ropes first-hand. Unfortunately, the traders I spoke to didn't have the time which is understandable and I appreciated every piece of advice anyway. I am wondering if there is anyone in Ipswich or surrounding areas who is a current trader who would be willing to spend a bit of time with a keen learner. Ideally, I would like to take some live trades together and really get a glimpse of what it's like as a full-time trader. I have a background in technology and marketing and have been known to be entrepreneurial so would be happy to trade skills or assist a full-time trader in their work as a way of payment for all the skills I will have learnt. If you think you or someone you know would be willing to show me the way I would be eternally grateful!

I hope you're having a nice evening and this finds you well!

Kind regards

CA

Hey everyone,

I could really use some guidance and wanted to see if anyone here might be open to helping or collaborating. I recently transitioned from selling on Etsy (where I was doing fairly well) to Walmart Marketplace, thinking it would be a great move—but it turned out to be a mistake. Now, I’m struggling to get any traction on Walmart, and I haven’t been able to revive my Etsy shop either.

Right now, my budget is basically nonexistent, so I can’t afford paid tools or expensive coaching. However, I do have a Walmart seller account, which I know is tough to get into. If someone with experience in e-commerce (especially Walmart) is open to mentoring me, I’d be happy to offer my platform in exchange—whether that’s selling your products on my account or something else we can work out.

I know I need a better strategy, especially for product selection and listing optimization. If anyone has insights, advice, or is open to chatting, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

Hello, I'm a 26-year-old female who graduated with BS Computer Science and Engineering degree ('21).

I am finally ready for a career shift! My goal is to get my BS SLHS in 2 years and then go on to do my MSSLHS.

+ I have an overall GPA of 3.8

+ Been on the Deen's list a few times

+ Bilingual (Eng&Ar) with 6 hrs college credit in American Sign Language.

+ ECA over the past 4 years (Baby Sitting (Special kids), mentoring HS students, and teaching at a non-profit org)

My application is almost ready to go. I don't have a mentor I can trust so I need your honest opinion and appreciate all the advice I can get.

Hello,

I am 22 years old with a Bachelor's Computer Science degree (graduated 2023). I have had 1 year of work experience. My previous job was in a start-up environment where I was one of two software engineers. We were both entry-level, so there was not much guidance from more experienced developers. I had to leave this company as the branch I worked in had to shutdown.

I am currently looking for another job since last September. However, I have only been able to land one interview so far. I was able to get to the third interview round.

I am looking for someone who can give me some guidance on what I could do to start landing more interviews. I'd like to know what I should be focusing on (e.g. certifications?, projects?).

Some more information about me:

• Tech Stack: C++ (main experience in this language) / Python (have used at uni and in some projects)
• Graphics API: Vulkan / OpenGL (elementary knowledge)

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Hi, I am trying to transition out of education. My dad died on Saturday and I had been so swamped with work that I haven't made time for what is actually important - that has to change. Heartbreak has fuelled me to be brave and take a leap.

I'm building HiveWise, a platform for mentorship and learning. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what matters most to you in a mentorship experience. Please support me by completing my 5 minute survey https://forms.gle/YYi57RottAaTVyDb9

I'm looking for someone who won't give me answers but will guide me where to look for real world situations such as road traffic collision investigations or crime pattern analysis. This is more a personal interest than professional as I'm too old to switch careers. I appreciate I'll need to dip into physics as well. I'm based in the UK but you could be anywhere in the world. My background is in computer support and programming if that's relevant. Thanks in advance.

Hello, I am based in England, and have been teaching myself 3d Design.

It's very challenging and broad, so I am feeling a bit confused about which direction I should go (learning plan).

I have started to work in Blender, shapr3d so far. But very Beginner level. I have a Graphic Design background.

Mentor -experienced -knowledhe of 3d design, modelling, rendering, visualisation, sketching, conceptualisation, product sketches, concept.. -professional studio/agency/freelance experience.

Thank you.

Hello everyone, I’m in the process of bringing a medical innovation to market, specifically a non-surgical solution for individuals with a deviated septum, and I’m seeking guidance from someone with experience in medical business development. A bit about the innovation: It’s a non-invasive alternative to traditional rhinoplasty and septoplasty. I’ve worked on it before, and the idea has generated interest, but due to a partnership breakdown, I had to put it on hold. Now, I’m exploring how to revive it, and I need advice on the next steps, particularly on the legal and business aspects. Ideally, I’m looking for someone who:

• Has experience bringing medical devices or innovations to market
• Is familiar with the entrepreneurial and legal challenges in the healthcare space
• Owns or has worked with other businesses, preferably in medical or related fields
• Can offer insights on fundraising, partnerships, or navigating the medical startup ecosystem

If you have experience in this area or know someone who does, I would greatly appreciate any advice or recommendations for potential mentors or collaborators. Thank you in advance for any help!

Hello! I'm a 23 year old black female looking to get into the technology field, located in New York City. I went to college for Architectural Technology and received my associates but not entirely sure if I want to go back for my bachelors. I've been looking into Tech Sales and Cyber Security and was looking for someone to help me understand the process, letting me know the pros and cons of working in these fields, and helping create a map for this career.

Hello there,

This feels a bit awkward because I’m naturally a private and shy person, but I’ve realized that I need help if I want to move forward in life. So here I am.

Let me share a bit about myself. I’m a 20M, and throughout my life, people have called me a prodigy and placed high expectations on me. While I know I’m smart, I’m not as extraordinary as people think (and I don’t mean this out of ego).

As a child, I attended countless boot camps and self-improvement courses over 20 certifications in total mostly focused on leadership and psychology. These experiences helped me see the world from different perspectives and taught me a lot about others. But they also made me overlook myself. I was trained to be a leader, someone who always puts others first. As a result, I never prioritized my own needs or felt comfortable in my own skin.

A few years ago, I decided to see a therapist. For the first time, I spoke openly, like a regular person, and even cried in front of someone a moment I can’t recall doing before. My therapist encouraged me to see the world through my own eyes, not just the eyes of a “leader.” During that process, I learned a lot about myself, I have a high IQ and EQ, My strengths lie in problem solving and critical thinking, My biggest struggles are with language and long-term memory (which explains why I’ve struggled with languages despite being good at linguistics).

One major realization was learning I have ADHD. It wasn’t a complete shock I’d noticed signs for years but hearing it confirmed felt overwhelming. My therapist started me on Ritalin, and it was life changing. For the first time, I felt like the version of myself I had always wanted to be. But after some time, they stopped prescribing it, advising me to focus on addressing the root causes of my struggles instead of just the symptoms.

While I respect that perspective, I’ve been struggling ever since. I’ve worked to follow their advice and focus on the underlying issues primarily bad nutrition and an unhealthy reliance on porn but progress has been slow, and I feel stuck.

I’m reaching out here because I want to restart my life. I’m tired of carrying the weight of being “the prodigy,” and I want to rebuild myself from scratch. One thing I’ve always loved is learning it’s the one thing that makes me feel proud to be human. I don’t care what it is the act of learning itself fulfills me.

Also, I want to talk about my education. I’m a Computer Science student with a Bachelor’s degree, and I graduated first in my class. However, I still haven’t started university because I’m taking my time. I don’t want to study in my own country, so I’m waiting until I find the right university. Until then, I have all the time in the world to figure things out.

Right now, I want to focus on computer science, math, and physics. These subjects fascinate me, and I feel like they’re a good starting point for the kind of life I want to build. But I don’t know where to start, how to map out what I need to learn, or even the best way to approach it.

So, I’m reaching out to the kind people of r/mentors: How can I begin this journey? What steps should I take to map out my learning and build the version of myself I’ve always dreamed of being?

Thank you for reading this. I truly appreciate any guidance or advice you can offer.

Hello everyone. I’m a 22M looking for a mentor in the digital marketing space. I’ve completed some courses on the subject and would now like to dive into the practicality of it all.

I want a mentor to guide me through all of this and to teach me how best to succeed in the industry. I’m dedicated to my learning, honest to the core and will cooperate effectively with whoever chooses to mentor me. Thanks!

Hi,

I just launched a website called StarterSky which shares inspiring stories of young founders. One of the verticals we are looking at is creating a mentorship program. Looking for someone who has experience of being a mentor to help me!

Thanks.

So, I had this idea to build a step-by-step plan to guide mentees from being anxious and unaware of their role in mentorship to being a confident contributor to the mentorship journey.

Please share some thoughts on your biggest challenges as a mentee.

Hi everyone,

I’m passionate about diving deeper into the world of theoretical physics and am looking for a mentor or teacher who can guide me on this journey. Whether you’re a professional physicist, an academic, or someone deeply knowledgeable and experienced in the field, I’d love to learn from you.

My current background: I am a student at university of electrotechnics with my branch being automation and robotics. Even tho I am studying that, my first passion is physics. I’m particularly interested in topics like quantum mechanics, general relativity, string theory, but I’m open to exploring any area that helps me build a strong theoretical foundation.

I’m eager to put in the effort, study diligently, and discuss complex topics. I would deeply appreciate your guidance—whether it’s through book recommendations, problem-solving, or even regular discussions about concepts.

If you’re interested in mentoring or pointing me in the right direction, please let me know. Thank you for considering!

Best regards

apologies if this thread already exists, but who else is out there doing this? Got any tips for how to navigate the balance between being there and not being (by design) able to be too involved? I had a trash childhood and see so much of the kiddo I’m paired with in younger-me, and I’m so eager to do literally anything and everything I can to make her life better. I’m not good at being cool and chill. I just really want to do this well.

Starting with on June 18 2024 completed my last semester exam and that’s it done with college graduated , some how cleared tcs and had a job offer from a sales field low pay grade. Not responded for the sales one but tcs was a whole another deal had a nice interview kept my results holding for until September than rejected.

Life was different after August 14 my father said to me that he was diagnosed with cancer he was admitted at hospital stayed at hospital for almost 1 month I juggled between home and hospital until my father had 3 cemos while on the day of 4 chemo December 10th at morning 7:30 am I went to his room there he was lying dead took him to the hospital he was declared dead with a heart attack.

Until January 20 I was roaming all the offices and went to banks for all the work related to my father now I need get my shit together and start to get a job but the thing is I am tired of applying to all these companies and want something to work on with hands on also not that good at technical coding stuff I am average. But I can say one thing I am open to any suggestion and will work on it I don’t have a particular interest in just wanting to work in that particular field.

Hey guys!

I’m working on a project where I’m collecting 100 unique ways people made their first $100K. I’m not looking for the usual “saved diligently” or “regular 9-to-5” stories—we’ve all heard those. Instead, I’m hunting for the creative, unconventional, or downright surprising paths that got you to this milestone.

Did you flip rare items? Start a quirky side hustle? Develop a niche skill or take a calculated risk that paid off big? Whatever your story, I’d love to hear it!

If you're okay with it, I might even include your story in a book I’m writing (with your permission, of course). To be honest I am short on a few stories and I would love to include yours - if it is interesting:)

And also, let’s inspire others who are starting their own journey.

Looking forward to your stories! 🚀

Hi. I am 19 years old and have been looking for a way to get my life together since I was 13. I'm from Russia (Now I don't live in Russia and I'm not going to live there, ideally I want to emigrate and live either in the USA or in the EU) since I was 13 years old I've been working for a living but most of the money went to different needs. I actively studied business theory, marketing and management. From the age of 16 I lived alone in a big city, rented a room and worked. At the age of 17 I went to live in Georgia (country) to start a new life and to separate from my parents. (I have a good relationship with my parents. I just don't want to depend on their finances) During 1.5 years I worked more than 10 different jobs but the income from all these jobs was enough only to cover my needs (in Georgia low wages and high price of rent). Then I got tired of all this and for half a year I hitchhiked all over Georgia, Armenia and reached Istanbul. I want to learn and practice. I am looking for a mentor who can help me gain experience and skills. I will be insanely grateful!

I have a trusting relationship with the world. I believe that there are a lot of good and honest people in the world. In my hitchhiking journey, I lived off of strangers letting me sleep in their homes and eat their food while I helped them with household chores or told stories about my travels So my strengths are honesty, transparency and curiosity.

I'm interested in entrepreneurs. I have an analytical mind and I am good with people.