For the past few years, mentorship programs have been popping up all over the country. This has led to a lot of discussion about their effectiveness and how they should be run. What’s often forgotten is that these programs are not just for young people; adults can also benefit from them. Many companies offer a form of adult mentor program already without even thinking about it in those terms. So what are some reasons why you might want to sign up?

1) You don’t have to go it alone.

As you move up the ladder and take on more responsibilities, it’s easy to feel like you are alone in an ocean of people who all want something from you. Through a mentorship program, you can learn valuable skills from your mentor and make a friend who will support you through everything.

2) You will get relevant information.

Being lost without direction is a common issue when you move into leadership roles, but it can also be hard to find out what information is worth your time in the first place. New mentors and mentees can learn from each other about how to navigate their responsibilities and decide which activities are worth their time.

3) You will gain new perspectives and ideas.

Being surrounded by people who have been doing their job for a while can help you avoid the pitfalls that lead to people being stuck in ruts. It’s easy to get stuck doing something just because that is what you have always done or only do the same things other people do. Getting new perspectives can refresh your outlook on work and help you figure out how to approach things differently.

4) You will get the support of others in their fields who are going through similar situations.

To a certain extent, everyone is in the same boat when they begin their jobs by learning all the ropes before moving into more complex roles. Along the way, you will have mentors and other people to talk to about your struggles. This is especially helpful if you have a boss who doesn’t understand why they must help you through things rather than just giving you what they want you to know.

5) It provides an opportunity to get feedback on your work.

Your mentor might be a good resource for you to bounce ideas off of or get help with some things going wrong in your area. If possible, it’s always better to hear about problems while they are still minor rather than dealing with them later in a crisis. You and your mentor will also be there for each other in case anything bad happens. This can give you extra support if you are ever put under the microscope by a less-than-understanding supervisor or need to deal with something that isn’t going well, such as a layoff.