January is National Mentoring Month, a perfect time to highlight the importance of mentorship for young professionals. In Sacramento, programs like Capitol Creative Alliance’s Ascenders Academy offer valuable resources to help creatives find mentorship and grow their careers.
Marcy Wacker, program lead of the Capitol Creative Alliance Creative Workforce, Ascender’s Academy, shares how mentorship can shape success, tips for finding a mentor, and how local initiatives are making a difference:
Why is mentorship so crucial for young professionals?
Mentorship is a game-changer for young professionals because it provides the support you can't get anywhere else. I've seen this especially with people who are the only ones doing their job in their organization—imagine being the only graphic designer or marketer in the office. Without a mentor, who do you bounce ideas off of? Who helps you navigate industry-specific challenges? Mentors can help you understand the unspoken workplace rules that nobody tells you about. They've been there and can help you avoid those "I wish someone had told me" moments.
What are some common challenges young professionals face when looking for a mentor, and how can they overcome them?
It can be scary! I think one of the biggest obstacles potential mentees face when looking for mentors is simply getting over the hesitation. They're afraid of bothering someone or taking up too much of their time. But mentorship doesn't have to be this formal, intimidating thing. It can be as simple as having coffee with someone once a month, getting their input on a specific project, or even just having someone you can reach out to when you're facing a challenge. I think once people realize there's no strict rulebook for what mentorship has to look like, it becomes much less daunting.
How can a young professional make the most out of a mentorship relationship to ensure it’s mutually beneficial?
Making a mentorship work is about taking initiative as a mentee. It's like any other relationship—you get out what you put in. The key is coming to the table with a sense of what you want to learn or achieve, even if you're not entirely sure how to get there. That might mean showing up with specific questions about a project you're working on, or following up to let your mentor know how their advice played out. What makes mentorship rewarding for both people is when there's genuine engagement and growth happening. The mentor is guiding you, but they often end up learning new perspectives, too. It's about creating that two-way street where both people feel like they're getting value from the relationship.
How does Capitol Creative Alliance support the local community and what role Ascenders Academy plays in that mission?
Capitol Creative Alliance (CCA) is dedicated to connecting and empowering the Sacramento creative community and Ascenders Academy has played a central role in this mission. The program is focused on preparing creatives for careers right here in Sacramento. It's not just about developing talent in general—we're investing in people who'll make our local creative economy strong.
What specific skills and opportunities do mentees gain from participating in Ascenders Academy that set them up for success in their careers?
Ascenders Academy pairs one-on-one mentoring with monthly workshops that cover everything from portfolio development and job search strategies to understanding your personal strengths. What sets the program apart is its focus on the whole picture of professional life. While technical skills are important, we put equal emphasis on crucial soft skills like communication and relationship building. We also tackle the realities of creative careers—things like setting healthy boundaries, preventing burnout, and building a strong professional network. The goal is to help participants build sustainable, fulfilling careers.
Moving forward, we plan to lean into our workshop programming and draw from our members and community partners for support. The goal is to continue the one-to-one mentoring offering but streamline that process through our membership platform.
Resources for You
- Get involved with CCA Ascender’s Academy: Email Marcy Wacker at marcy@capitolcreativealliance.org.
- Hear from a Peer: Check out a blog from Ryan Advincula, Metro EDGE Leadership Council member, to learn more about the value of mentorship.
