How do you set and track your IT Operations learning goals with your mentor or coach?

1 Define your learning goals

Before you start working with your mentor or coach, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn, why you want to learn it, and how you will measure your progress. Your learning goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, instead of saying "I want to learn more about cloud computing", you could say "I want to pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam by the end of the year". Write down your learning goals and share them with your mentor or coach, who can help you refine them and align them with your career aspirations.

2 Plan your learning activities

Once you have your learning goals, you need to plan how you will achieve them. Your mentor or coach can help you identify the best resources, tools, and methods for your learning style and needs. For example, they can recommend books, courses, podcasts, webinars, blogs, or online communities that can help you learn new skills or concepts. They can also suggest projects, tasks, or challenges that can help you apply your learning to real-world scenarios. Plan your learning activities in advance and schedule them in your calendar, so you can stay focused and motivated.

3 Track your learning outcomes

As you progress with your learning activities, you need to track your learning outcomes and evaluate your performance. Your mentor or coach can help you set up a system to monitor your results and provide you with feedback, encouragement, and recognition. For example, you can use a spreadsheet, a journal, or a dashboard to record your completed activities, your scores, your achievements, or your challenges. You can also use a portfolio, a blog, or a video to showcase your work and demonstrate your skills. Share your learning outcomes with your mentor or coach regularly and discuss what went well, what went wrong, and what you can improve.

5 Communicate and collaborate with your mentor or coach

The key to a successful mentoring or coaching relationship is effective communication and collaboration. Your mentor or coach is not a teacher or a boss, but a partner and a facilitator in your learning journey. To ensure you are getting the most out of your sessions, it is important to set clear expectations and boundaries for your mentoring or coaching sessions, such as the frequency, duration, format, and agenda. Additionally, it is beneficial to prepare for your sessions by doing your homework, reviewing your notes, and preparing your questions. After each session, you should follow up on your action items, share your feedback, and acknowledge your gratitude. It is also important to seek and accept constructive criticism, suggestions, and praise from your mentor or coach as well as share your insights, experiences, and resources. Finally, respect your mentor or coach's time, expertise, and opinions. By following these tips, you can set and track your IT Operations learning goals with your mentor or coach effectively and efficiently while also building a strong and lasting relationship that can benefit both parties.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?