How to make the most of your apprenticeship mentor

One of the biggest perks of an apprenticeship is having a mentor — an experienced pro who shows you the ropes. They can make the difference between just getting by and truly excelling in your new trade.

Keep in mind, however, that great mentorship is a two way street. If you want to make the most of your relationship with your mentor, you need to be mentor-able. Here's how you can do that:

1. Be patient

Not every mentor has experience being a mentor, nor is this their only job. Yes, your apprenticeship is your whole career, but for your mentor, it's one of many things on their plate. Be patient with developing this relationship. Be patient with their time. They might have years of experience in their field but that may not include mentoring. In fact, in newer apprenticeable fields, it's unlikely they went through an apprenticeship themselves.

Be patient with your mentor and you can grow together.

2. Show Up Prepared

Your mentor is taking time out of their day to teach you, so make it easy for them:

• Arrive a few minutes early

• Have tools, equipment, and ready -- whether those are medical scrubs or a hard hat

• Be mentally prepared to work and learn

Even something simple like wearing the right gear and bringing a notebook shows you’re serious.

3. Ask Smart Questions

Questions are good. But aim for thoughtful questions, not just “What now?” You want to get to the "why" of your tasks. "Why do we measure it this way?" "Why do we manage our software code like that?" “How do you check your work before finishing?”

Mentors love curiosity — it shows you care about learning the right way. Sometimes, it may be something they need to think about themselves (see step 1).

4. Do the Small Stuff Well

Early on, you might (read: will) get “grunt work”. That's OK. Don’t roll your eyes. Doing the basics right builds trust. Everyone starts with grunt work -- from electricians to software engineers. Take these jobs seriously, and you'll earn respect and responsbility for more involved work.

5. Watch and Listen

Much like with parenting, mentors don't want to have to repeat themselves over and over. Commit those comments to memory.

They have have years of experience and often teach through small comments and demonstrations. Pay attention to the details, even if they seem minor.

6. Show Appreciation

You don’t have to overdo it, but a simple “Thanks for showing me that today” goes a long way. People remember apprentices who respect their time.

Your mentor is your shortcut to mastery. Show up ready, ask good questions, handle small tasks like a pro, and they’ll invest even more in helping you succeed. In a few years, you might be the mentor passing those lessons on to someone else.