How Learning from Younger Professionals Can Boost Your Career

It’s not that older professionals should teach young professionals. Older professionals can learn from young professionals too. Older professionals can improve their skills and education through webinars, workshops, and seminars and also meet new people and improve their connections. They can meet people within and outside their field. This is important for their professional development.

Professional development can boost your confidence and value through certifications, credentials and new designations. 

You can take professional courses at the Harvard Division of Continuing Education’s Professional and Executive Development. It offers courses across several industries and fields. Sometimes your employer may pay the course fee for you to learn, if you show that you’re worthy enough. You can choose online or physical courses depending on your goals and lifestyle. 

Reverse mentoring 

The reverse mentoring program utilises younger professionals to mentor senior professionals in social media, technology and industry trends. 

Redefinition of mentorship

Traditionally, mentoring was done by senior professionals to improve the quality of work of younger professionals. Now, because of shifting workplace dynamics and changing attitudes, there’s a need to change the kind of mentoring.

Reverse mentoring is an innovative solution that facilitates cross-generational collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Why reverse mentorship matters today?

Rapid technological change: the rapid evolution of technology has profoundly impacted the workplace mechanics. The innately tech savvy young workers are so, because of their swift adaptability to new technologies. Younger employees can help experienced professionals navigate the new technologies and learn them. 

Diversity in the workplace- be it cultural diversity or diversity in generations, it’s essential that peace between younger and older generations must be maintained. A company which embraces inclusion, equality, and diversity wants seniors and juniors to get along.

Benefits of reverse mentoring

1. Increases retention of younger employees

To reduce the job hopping of younger employees many companies use reverse mentoring as a strategy. By giving the responsibility to teach older employees they can improve leadership skills in juniors. It increases transparency and recognition that young workers seek. This also keeps them engaged and active in their work. They feel good about themselves when their mentees learn something new and they are respected by coworkers.

2. Sharing of digital skills

Pew research center reported that in 2016, the proportion of the young work force in the U.S. was the largest. They were millennials. Millennials were exposed to technology more than the Gen Zs or Gen X. As a result millennials became highly proficient users of technology and were continuously upskilling throughout different technological transitions. They were able to compare and contrast and truly understand how modern technology has evolved. 

3. Reverse mentoring promotes diversity

Despite being diverse, many companies fail to provide a sense of belonging to employees which can affect the mental health of employees and reduce employee productivity. Reverse mentoring can increase the engagement and productivity in work and promote healthy diversity in the workplace

4. Improve new hires to speak up

Younger employees must be able to speak up and provide their opinion on current practices at the workplace. They should point out things wrong within the system. They shouldn’t stay put to please managers and supervisors or to gain promotions. During reverse mentoring they get the power and experience to speak up against issues. They practise leadership in low-risk environments and help develop their careers. 

5. Improve critical business skills 

While senior employees may not be as up-to-date with the latest technology, they often possess stronger business skills compared to newer workers. Reverse mentoring allows senior staff to gain insights into emerging technologies and social media trends, while younger mentors benefit by learning valuable business knowledge and company culture from their mentees. This includes understanding internal processes, using the correct terminology when discussing business concepts, and knowing the dos and don’ts in a professional setting. Such skills are essential for thriving in the corporate environment and advancing one’s career.

For young employees out there: If you want to be part of reverse mentoring find jobs at CareerFirst.lk You can find similar content and courses at our website. For latest job notifications, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is reverse mentoring?

Reverse mentoring is a program where younger employees mentor senior professionals, sharing knowledge on technology, social media, and current industry trends to help them stay updated and adaptable.

2. How is reverse mentoring different from traditional mentoring?

Traditional mentoring usually involves senior professionals guiding juniors. Reverse mentoring flips this by having younger employees mentor senior staff, encouraging cross-generational learning and collaboration.

3. Why is reverse mentoring important in today’s workplace?

With rapid technological changes and increasing workplace diversity, reverse mentoring helps bridge generational gaps, promotes inclusion, and ensures everyone stays relevant and engaged.

4. How can reverse mentoring benefit senior professionals?

Senior professionals gain updated digital skills, fresh perspectives on industry trends, and a better understanding of company culture and new technologies.

5. What benefits do younger employees get from reverse mentoring?

Younger employees develop leadership skills, gain confidence to speak up, increase job satisfaction, and improve career prospects by teaching and engaging with senior colleagues.