Mentorship has long been a pillar of professional development, not just in credit unions, but also across many sectors and industries.

As manager for The Cooperative Trust, I am lucky to be able to work with many young credit union professionals and seasoned ones alike. Both groups often ask me the same questions: "What do you think about mentorship?" and "How do I go about building a relationship?"

Before we dive head first into my usual responses, let's pause and think about what a mentor truly is. As stated in the Filene report "Sponsoring the Credit Union Leaders of Tomorrow," a mentor is someone you can ask for advice, helps you navigate stormy political waters in the workplace and is instrumental in mapping your professional development.