Giving back to those who help you

If you want to actually "repay" him, the best thing you can do is work hard to seize every single opportunity he helps you with and exceed his expectations. That way he will feel that you are not wasting his time and really treasure what he helps you with, which is the best way to pay him back.

Good thought process, it's always important to reward anyone that helps you. Like the others said, make sure you make it clear to him how he's impacted you and helped because a lot of mentors end up not knowing the full impact of what they've done for people, which can be a little disheartening.

Definitely offer to take him out for a nice dinner and when you get the opportunity to, find out how you can help him in some way and reciprocate. Obviously he isn't expecting much given your position as is, but one day... :)

Great thread. I will share a few of my experiences:

• For someone who has been a very close and dedicated mentor and friend, you can do something for them that is more personal. One of my key mentors is older now, and I collected an array of photographs and letters from many of his close friends and mentees, publishing them as a book for him. It was a wonderful gift and showed him how he has impacted many lives.

• For a mentor that you know fairly well but not quite on that level, try to find something that matches their personal interests. Perhaps a book that you think they would like, or introduce them to a contact that you think they would get along with, personally or professionally.

• Additionally, with mentors that you are just getting to know, potential mentors, or people you are building a relationship with, try to spend more time with them. Invite them golfing, trap shooting, tennis, out to dinner, etc. They will appreciate you thinking of them and extending an invitation.

Showing effort and the desire to give back goes a long way. At the end of lots of my initial networking calls, I usually will say: "You know, I'm speaking with a wide range of people as I go about this networking process. Is there anyone that would be beneficial for you to know, personally or professionally?" Then I'll keep my eye out and make an introduction if I can.

Just show you appreciate all the help he’s given you. A VP doesn’t need a dinner, but you can offer. Just pay it back to the kids who reach out to you in the future as you progress through your career.

I've sent the first guy who took a chance on me the following:

Gift card to best steakhouse in town for two Tickets to a great playoff game Thank you notes for setting me up, as I keep moving up.

Owe him another as I got a new gig.

Great question, and something I've been thinking of myself lately.

I want to send thank you notes and/or a small gift to people who have helped me a lot over the last year or so, but it's unlikely I'll have a chance to meet some of them any time soon due to various reasons. I don't have a mailing address for a few of these people - anyone have any thoughts on how to proceed here?

I thought the same thing when alums would go make the extra effort to help out. Even though you know you can't in most cases because you're so young, I would always tell them to let me know if there's something they need help with that I can assist with in the future. Very generic but again, it shows that you're not just there to receive. In the short term, all you can do is make their extended effort look good with by having a solid interview, introduction, job performance, etc. Small gestures like a meal also work.

Are you female? I can think of a few ways...

Send him a bottle of wine with a thoughtful note of how much you appreciate his help.