Chief Executive Officer of KonnectedMinds Podcast, Derrick Abaitey, has encouraged young people to stop chasing high-profile mentors and instead seek guidance from people within their immediate circles who possess the knowledge and skills they aspire to acquire.

In an interview on The Career Trail on Joy Learning TV and Joy News, the podcaster said many people wrongly believe mentorship must come from successful celebrities or wealthy business leaders.

"Some people think when we say mentors, it has to be somebody who is a multimillionaire. It doesn't," he highlighted.

Drawing from his own experience, he revealed that his first mentor was neither a public figure nor a millionaire.

"My first mentor was in my church. It wasn't a multimillionaire. It was Ernest Asare from church. He's an IT guru. I was studying IT, and he had a skill that I wanted to learn, so I went to him," he recounted.

"Today, when I'm looking for the next technology to help with Konnected Academy, Ernest Asare is still the person I call because that man has helped me so much," he continued.

He advised young people to start learning from accessible people around them rather than waiting for an opportunity to meet prominent personalities.

"Sometimes the problem is that people want someone like McDan to mentor them, but the man is busy and doesn't have the time," he remarked.

"If Kwame Yeboah in your area is an importer, learn from him. As you grow, you may eventually find yourself in the same room with someone like McDan," he added.

Abaitey also pointed out one common mistake many people make when seeking mentorship.

"One of the mistakes people make is that once they look up to someone, they go straight into the person's inbox and simply say, 'Hi.' You have no idea how many of those messages I receive. Are you waiting for me to respond to the 'Hi' before you tell me what's on your mind? No. Tell me what's on your mind. That's what will get me to read your message," he remarked.

Abaitey further stressed that mentorship is a two-way relationship and that aspiring mentees must be willing to offer value. He recounted how a young man named Harrison caught his attention by presenting practical ideas to improve the Konnected Minds brand.

"He came to me with a plan showing how he could improve my brand. I invited him to the studio, and today, he works with me," he revealed.

"If you want to be close to someone, offer them value," he stressed.

He also clarified that mentorship is not always free because some people's time comes at a premium. However, he stressed that there are many people willing to mentor others without charge, provided they are approached the right way.

"Mentorship, in its actual sense, is not always free. There are people I mentor for free, and there are others who pay because time becomes very precious. So, if you find someone who is willing to mentor you for free, approach them the right way and have something meaningful to say so you don't miss the opportunity," he advised.

Derrick Abaitey concluded by reminding young people that mentors can be found in everyday places, whether at church, in the workplace or within their communities.

It could be your pastor. It could be the usher. It could be the nurse who just qualified while you're trying to become a nurse. Your first mentor doesn't have to be famous," he reiterated.