How can you find a data architecture mentor with the right experience?

I would say approach it with a "Swarm Intelligence" mentality - which is using the collective intelligence of different people: 1) Come with a specific problem that you want advice on from a data architecture perspective 2) Reach out to different data architects for a suggested solution 3) Understand why they chose a specific architecture 4) Keep repeating for different problems You will always find someone willing to share their knowledge or experience :) Keep looking , knocking different doors, and you will be amazed by the experience you will find through others. On this journey, you will be building your expertise & adding your own insights and approach

It is next to impossible to find a mentor. People with the right experience and background are either busy or tired. There is a light chance that you can get some advice, but only if you clearly outline your case in all details. And is not the trivial case! High flying profis like to resolve complex cases! But if you just seek out second opinion (or different viewpoints) consider rather joining professional groups and/or forums. Thus you get feedback much faster and in abundance. If you are able to outline background and your case in all pertinent details.

If you are specific about what you are trying to solve or learn with in data management, then someone with in this community can help based on their experience in solving similar problem space. Data Management is vast and not necessarily there is a single answer when it comes to process and op model (unless you are looking for tech suggestions, even that is varied).

Encontrar mentores na nossa jornada de desenvolvimento é fundamental para evoluir mais rápido! Ter definido nossos caminhos ajuda a entender com quem devemos nos conectar! É importante focar e tirar tudo q não é importante para andar cada vez mais rápido. Finding mentors on our development journey is essential to progress faster! Having defined our paths helps us understand who we should connect with! It is important to focus and remove everything that is not important to go faster and faster.

Finding a mentor starts with first understanding what we want to achieve through mentorship. Are there any specific skills which we would like to develop? Once we are clear about the goals of mentorship, we can explore the following places below to find the right mentor: Company Connection: Look around to see if there is someone who can help us. Most approachable of all. Online community: Join active communities on Microsoft, discord , databrick platforms and ask for help. LinkedIn and Reddit : it's a great source to connect with excellent architects. We can follow their work and reach out to them for help and mentorship. Paid mentorship platforms: Online platforms like mentorcruise , preplace where experts provide paid mentorship.

A mentor who's seen different industries or projects can give you a broader perspective. Even helping you out on what your needs really are.

Start with you formalising your 10,000 foot view What do you need / want to deliver. Share it, then sit with a few then and get their approaches to solving your problem. Pick the one that has the most experience around your problem space and can align with your understanding the closest. You may want to chunk the problem into discrete areas and find a few mentors to cover the different areas.

I would recommend finding a mentor who is accomplished in the specific area that you are interested. That mentor may be junior in terms of number of years in industry but might have wealth of subject knowledge to mentor. Always exhibit inclusive behaviors i.e., while looking for mentors and working with mentors.

It's actually hard to find a mentor available. Anyway, some alternative ways to secure a mentor with the appropriate data architecture expertise, engage in targeted networking through professional platforms like LinkedIn, participate in industry events, join relevant organizations, utilize company resources, explore academic connections, consider mentorship-focused websites, ensure articulate your specific learning goals and potential mutual benefits when initiating contact.

LinkedIn is a goldmine for connecting with professionals. Follow experts in your field, engage with their posts, and don't be shy about reaching out. A thoughtful comment or a message expressing genuine interest can open doors.

Leverage Your Network.... Professional Connections: Reach out to colleagues, industry peers, or former coworkers who might have connections to experienced data architects. LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to search for professionals with the title "Data Architect" or "Data Solutions Architect." Look for those who have the skills and experience you admire. Conferences and Meetups: Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences where data architects are likely to speak or participate.

Engage in Professional Communities..... Online Forums: Join online communities like Reddit, Stack Overflow, or specialized groups on LinkedIn where data architecture is discussed. Professional Organizations: Consider joining organizations like DAMA International or IEEE, which offer networking opportunities and access to experienced professionals.

I agree. Architecture is opinionated from person to person as there are usually many ways to design something. Participating in multiple communities gives someone multiple POVs provider a more diverse and robust experience to multiple architectures and approaches.

- Be where the best are: Engage in communities, forums, and events where leading data architects gather. Choose a mentor based on affinity, your choice of a mentor should be guided by personal affinity. Look for someone whose style, approach, and values resonate with yours. This ensures a more productive and fulfilling mentor-mentee relationship.

Commitment is required in mentorship. Understand the time and commitment required of you. Ensure it fits with your schedule and that you can dedicate enough time to get the most out of the program. As networking is vital, check if the program offers additional networking opportunities. Being able to connect with a broader community of data professionals can provide further learning and career opportunities.

Look for Thought Leaders- Publications and Blogs: Identify thought leaders who regularly publish content related to data architecture. Engage with them on platforms like Twitter or Medium. Use Mentorship Platforms- Mentorship Programs: Explore formal mentorship programs offered by companies, educational institutions, or professional organizations. Platforms: MentorCruise, ADPList, or GrowthMentor connect you with experienced professionals in various fields, including data architecture. Evaluate Potential Mentors Experience: Ensure their background aligns with your specific needs (e.g., cloud data platforms, AI, large-scale migrations). Communication Style: Choose someone whose comms style and approach to mentorship resonate with you.

- Choose a clear and concise subject line for your email. Something like "Mentorship Request from an Aspiring Data Architect" can be simple and direct. - Address them politely by their professional title and last name, unless their public persona suggests they prefer a first-name basis. - Introduce yourself briefly. Mention your current role, your interest in data architecture, and how you came across their profile. - Clearly express why you are interested in being mentored by them and highlight any commonalities or specific aspects of their work that resonate with you. - Briefly outline your mentorship goals. Are you looking to transition into data architecture, seeking guidance on specific projects, or wanting to develop certain skills?

- Know Your Starting Point: This self-awareness helps you and your mentor identify areas for growth and tailor the mentorship accordingly. - Set Clear Goals: Have a vision of what you want to achieve. - Communicate Openly: Regular updates, questions, and feedback make the relationship more effective and rewarding. - Embrace Challenges: This is how you grow. - Apply Feedback: Actively listen to your mentor's advice and try to apply it. - Stay Curious!

There are so many areas within the Data Architecture discipline that it is important that you find a mentor who is able to explain the subareas to you and guide you to the best choice. Data analytics architecture is completely different from transactional architecture, but both need to talk to each other and there so many ways to implement each one. If you choose a mentor willing teach you and learn with you it will a better choice.

- Be where the best are: Engage in communities, forums, and events where leading data architects gather. - Do what they do: Adopt the practices and approaches that top professionals in data architecture use. Finally, choose a mentor based on affinity, your choice of a mentor should be guided by personal affinity. Look for someone whose style, approach, and values resonate with yours. This ensures a more productive and fulfilling mentor-mentee relationship.