To all the wonderful mentors out there, thank you for everything you do.
I want to give a special shoutout to a senior at my firm who has been exceptionally supportive. I honestly can’t imagine where I would be without his guidance. During my early months in this new grad Audit position, he patiently walked me through the learning process. I started without even knowing how to add columns in Excel, but thanks to him, I’ve gained so much knowledge. He went above and beyond, sitting with me on Teams for 40 minutes, answering all my questions about concepts I was struggling with.
His support has truly shifted the course of my career. I’ve heard countless stories of new graduates feeling intimidated when seeking help and facing harsh treatment from impatient managers, sometimes even ending up on performance improvement plans.
On the flip side, there are those who fall short as mentors. There’s a senior who frequently uses teachable moments to belittle juniors, making snide remarks like, “Oh, they didn’t teach that in school?” It feels akin to being a newborn; while some mentors are nurturing and guiding, others are quick to criticize for the smallest mistakes, forgetting what it was like to be in our shoes.
Then you encounter the seniors who seem to play favorites, only aligning themselves with the “smartest” individuals or those they see as beneficial to their status. It’s a common attitude—more hierarchical than malicious, but still frustrating.
And let’s not even get started on the older crowd. Many of them can be quite grumpy, often leaving passive-aggressive comments like, “Didn’t they teach that in school?” while displaying a very short temper.
One response
It’s great to hear that you’ve had such a positive experience with your mentor! Someone who can genuinely support and guide you through the early stages of your career can make such a difference. It’s unfortunate, though, that not all seniors approach their role with the same kindness and patience.
The divide between supportive and unsupportive colleagues can really impact a new grad’s confidence and growth. It’s disheartening when some seniors choose to belittle rather than nurture, especially given how challenging it is to navigate a new environment. It sounds like you’re very appreciative of the right kind of guidance and want to pay it forward, which is a fantastic mindset to have.
As for the toxic behaviors you mentioned, they do seem all too common in many workplaces. It’s unfortunate that some people forget that we all start somewhere and that creating a supportive environment benefits everyone in the long run. Emphasizing mentorship and empathy can go a long way in improving the workplace culture. Hopefully, with your experience and perspective, you can contribute to fostering a more encouraging environment for future new grads as well! Keep striving to learn and grow, and don’t hesitate to lean on those who are willing to help along the way.