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When it comes to mentorship, it's not always wise to aim high.
Asahi Pompey, Goldman Sachs' global head of the Office of Corporate Engagement and chair of the Urban Investment Group, said that young people often have the wrong priorities when looking for a workplace mentor.
"One mistake I think people make is that they tend to want the most senior sponsor and mentor. That's not so great if that person doesn't know you well, doesn't know your work, and can't really speak to it," she told Business Insider.
People often fall into a "trap" where they seek out mentorship in the biggest name or moneymaker, even though that person might not be able to devote enough time to the relationship, she said.
"You need somebody who's going to bang the table on your behalf, and that's going to be someone who really knows the substance of your work and the value that you're delivering," Pompey said.
In Goldman's annual intern survey this year, 84% of respondents said they expected to be paired with a mentor at a new job. The potential mentorship options have recently changed, since the firm shook up its leadership ranks last week by promoting 608 employees to managing director. Of the new MDs, 70% came from revenue-generating divisions and 27% were women.
Pompey — who has been at Goldman for nearly 20 years and a partner since 2018 — advised the new MDs to pinpoint the people they want to mentor. She's also told Business Insider that she consistently worries about the people on her team, and especially about whether she's doing all she can to "amplify their talents."
Some of Business Insider's 2025 rising stars of Wall Street advised college students to harness the power of networking early on in their careers. Others said it's important to avoid chasing titles or jobs simply because they sound impressive, and instead be guided by genuine interest.
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