UMGC Career Connection Mentorship Builds Career Confidence

• Which goals did I achieve last year, and which ones still need attention?
• What learning opportunities (courses, certifications, mentorship, etc.) should I pursue this year?
• Do I have a mentor or someone who can guide me toward my next career step?
• Am I clear on what success looks like for me in 2026?

If these questions leave you feeling uncertain about your next steps, you’re not alone. The recent job market posed challenges for many, including stalled hiring, increased competition, and unexpected barriers. If that was your experience, remember this: you are not behind. You are exactly where you need to be. With the right strategy, timing, and opportunity, your next chapter will unfold.

This is an ideal time to revisit your career strategy and make small but meaningful adjustments. Maybe it’s time to narrow your focus, remove a strategy that hasn’t worked, or add something new, such as mentorship. A mentor can provide clarity, confidence, and direction as you work toward advancement or a complete career change.

Gather Industry Knowledge

One of the first questions I ask someone considering a career change is: “Do you have a mentor in your desired field?” Mentors provide insight, guidance, and connections that are hard to access when your network is rooted in another industry. They make an unfamiliar field feel approachable and less intimidating.

Practical Tip: If you’re planning a career change in 2026, seek a mentor who can specifically support you with informational interviews, identifying skill gaps, expanding your professional network, and understanding hiring expectations along with job search norms.

Use Mentorship to Navigate Major Career Transitions

Mentors serve as a critical support system during a time when you could use their expertise to better understand new environments and expectations, translate your experience into valuable and compelling stories, and build confidence during uncertain times.

Practical Tip: Before reaching out, clarify where you need the most support: understanding a new field, translating your experience, or building confidence. Having this clarity will help you guide the conversation and get more value from the mentorship.

Choose Mentors Who Align with Your Career Trajectory

Mentors offer experience and guidance as you navigate unfamiliar territory. Look for someone who reflects your future path and ideally shares aspects of your background, such as studying at UMGC, living in the same state/area, or having a similar work history. This can help build rapport with a new connection, which can lead to powerful conversations about transferable skills and confidence-building. These connections can be made by reaching out to UMGC alumni and industry professionals within the Community Connect network on CareerQuest.

Practical Tip: Ask questions like: “How did you transition your career from [previous career] to [career of interest]?” or “What helped you break into this field?”

Keep Moving Forward

As you begin the new year with renewed hope, clearer goals, and perhaps a new mentor, remember that mentorship is a long-term investment in your career growth. Some benefits are immediate, including gaining industry knowledge or receiving a warm introduction to a professional in the field, but the most meaningful rewards come from nurturing the relationship over time and creating a mutually beneficial connection. Your effort, curiosity, and commitment will shape the value you receive. Therefore, you essentially get out of mentorship what you put into it.

Before we wrap up National Mentorship Month this January, I encourage you to take one small action. Reach out to a potential mentor, schedule an informational interview, or reflect on the guidance you need most right now. What can you gain from mentorship this year?

Jennifer Lucke is a Career Advising Specialist at the University of Maryland Global Campus, where she supports adult learners and non-traditional students as they navigate meaningful career transitions. In her work with the School of Integrative and Professional Studies, she partners with students and alumni to build confidence, clarify goals, and take purposeful steps toward the next stage of their careers.

Her advising approach is grounded in strengths-based, solution-focused practices and shaped by a commitment to creating a supportive, approachable environment where advisees feel understood and empowered. She provides individualized advising, resume and interview preparation, job search guidance, and career assessments. Additionally, she has designed and facilitated several initiatives aimed at strengthening college student engagement, personal and career identity development, and overall career readiness.

Jennifer holds a Master of Education in College Counseling and Student Development from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from East Carolina University. She is also a Certified Career Counselor (CCC) through the National Career Development Association and remains committed to lifelong learning through ongoing engagement with the NCDA and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).