It’s 2022, and an increasing number of people are transitioning into tech careers from non-tech fields. Because new people join the ranks of the tech industry every day, everyone has the opportunity to make a difference. Newcomers, like all of us on our first day, require guidance along the way.
Mentors are beneficial because, in addition to subject matter expertise, they have a network of business professionals, and, most importantly, they are willing to share what and who they know. People who mentor have most likely had mentors who helped them better understand their industry, hone their strengths, or sharpen their skills. Overall, mentorship in technology allows people who are making new decisions to learn from those who have made similar decisions in the past. Mentees can then avoid making the same mistakes and apply what they’ve learned to make themselves better equipped in the future.
Mentorship is required in the tech industry for a variety of reasons!
The technology industry moves quickly
- We must not only stay current on the technologies we are working on, but we must also constantly learn new best practices that lead to better development flows. It’s a difficult balancing act to ensure that your work is completed on time while also making time for your own professional development.
- Having mentors who can guide you and guide you through the process of balancing your time wisely makes a huge difference. Remember that mentors are industry veterans who have been through the ups and downs.
- Mentors can assist mentees in continuously learning and keeping skills relevant over time by sharing tips and valuable resources, as well as ensuring they understand it is impossible to know everything.
Mentors can aid in the promotion of diversity and inclusion
- Everyone, regardless of background, sexuality, gender preference, or skin color, should have equal access to opportunities in technology. Everyone deserves the chance to make a difference.
- Mentorship creates a safe environment for open and honest discussions. Mentors can provide direct steps and advice to mentees as they begin the path to a promotion. They can also provide network extensions that connect people who may never have met before, thereby opening up new opportunities.
- Leaders can create or fill roles for their mentees based on the trust they have built in the relationship, providing a direct opportunity rather than a biassed one through a difficult application process.
- When mentees have mentors who resemble them, the bond is strengthened, and advice for specific situations is more relatable. Diversity at all levels of leadership is an essential component of the culture of a modern company.
Read How to Keep Innovation a Top Priority at a Tech Company.
Where can one look for a mentor?
- You can begin by contacting your company’s human resources department. Find out if it has a formal or informal mentoring program and expresses your interest to a representative.
- If your company does not have a mentoring program and you want to be an agent of change, go to your HR representative and tell him or her you’d like to help start one. HR buy-in, as with most career programs, can make or break the program. The worst thing that can happen is that they say no.
- If you can’t find someone at your workplace or within your peer network, use professional networking sites to find people in your area who are currently employed in the position you’re looking for. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook’s Branchout are excellent resources for finding mentors and groups with similar interests in your area. Many times, simply identifying and approaching the appropriate person is all that is required. Should you require assistance with coding, seeking a coding mentor can be particularly beneficial.
We make it a point at Sabio Coding Bootcamp to be available to our students even after they graduate. Investing in technology education and mentorship will only help to strengthen the advancement of this field. There is no doubt that companies that invest in professional development opportunities for their employees will be more successful in the long run in the highly competitive technology industry.
Learn more from business and read What Does Mentoring with a High Impact Look Like? 15 Crucial Insights.