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Many AICI members will tell you that the most valuable aspect of their AICI membership is that it provides the opportunity to find mentors. Networking with and learning from the experts is a priceless tool for professional and personal growth. Here is one member’s experience.
Let Me Mentor You in Finding a Mentor!
By Anna Wildermuth, AICI, CIM
Past President, International Board of Directors
Association of Image Consultants International
 When I joined AICI in 1994, I had the wonderful luck to almost immediately find an AICI mentor. Looking back over the past 11 years, I can unequivocally say that the mentoring process helped me tremendously. Not only did my mentor help me grow and successfully operate my business, but the effect of her wisdom on my personal development has been priceless. I can honestly say that I would not have become an AICI president or a Certified Image Master if it were not for her mentorship and that of others along the way.
The mentor-acolyte relationship is special, and the mentor who may be a perfect fit for one image consultant might not be the best fit for another. To find the right mentor for you:
Your mentor must:
- Have a successful practice in the area in which you want growth and support;
- Have a communication style similar to yours;
- and
Have time to devote to being a mentor.
As the person being mentored, you must:
- Have a clear plan of the ways in which you want the mentor to help you;
- Be sensitive to the constraints of a mentor’s time and not waste it; and
- Position the relationship as a win/win for both you and the mentor by being able to offer networking or business opportunities to the mentor.
Take advantage of the wealth of talent within the AICI organization; find a mentor who will help you grow.
Feel free to  email me if you have any questions about finding a mentor. I offer you my personal best wishes in your journey for success.
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