The Hidden Benefits of Mentorship
In March 2020 I found myself laid off and fed up. Ever resilient (or so I thought), I threw myself into the job search. I took online classes to further develop my coding skills, I built little projects to demonstrate those skills, and I went into every interview with a positive, can-do attitude. No luck.
In May 2020 I made a heartfelt plea online, “Seeking employment with an ANTI-RACIST company! If you think your org fits the bill, drop it below.” I used what was to become an even more popular hashtag #blacklivesmatter. While I did not receive any links in the comments, I did receive a DM that would change the trajectory of my life.
A Black woman I’d previously met at a GIS conference reached out to me. She’d given a truly enlightening talk on accessibility after which, I thanked her in person and we connected, following up later on social media. We joked that it was easy to remember each other as we tend to stand out at those types of conferences. She sent me the link to her job board and offered me an opportunity to volunteer with one of her initiatives. She continued to meet with me week after week while I was at my lowest. Her assignments and coaching did more than keep me from giving up ––they helped me grow into the person I wanted to become and am still becoming.
One day, she asked me to think about what I truly wanted to do in my life and what would make me happy. Not just a job, but what would my life look like and how would I feel. She assured me it was perfectly fine if what I decided to do was different from what I initially thought I wanted to do.
She gave me the courage to look inside myself and choose fulfillment over a fat paycheck. She ultimately allowed me access to the state of mind that led me to leading a nonprofit. Because what I want is to make a difference, to work for an anti-racist organization. Thanks to her offer of freedom from convention, from following my designated path, she welcomed me to choose my own future.
We’ve been in touch less frequently since I accepted my position at PDXWIT, and our mentor/mentee relationship has come to a close. Since then I have wondered, what, if any, benefits did my mentor receive out of her time with me?
To answer that question, I turned my focus towards the PDXWIT mentorship program, asking current mentors why they make time for their mentees (some have been mentors in our program for over five years!). And it turns out, every mentor I asked had an answer for me:
“As a mentor, I’ve learned a lot about myself. That my capabilities to uplift, support and guide another person is most important and necessary. I hope that as I continue new mentoring opportunities, the mentees I’ve mentored in the past pay it forward in their circles so that we can grow a loving, supportive and diverse community intent on being better than ourselves and in solidarity with one another.” - Hazel Valdez
“For me, becoming a mentor just kept happening—I didn’t seek it out. For many like me, they don’t see themselves as a mentor because they don’t feel worthy.” - Deana Solis
"I'm where I'm at because of it." - Miki Demeter
“When I was matched with a mentee through PDXWIT several years ago, I didn't know what to expect from the experience. What I have discovered is a mutually fulfilling relationship that has added so much value to my life! Not only has my mentee secured the literal job of her dreams over the course of the mentorship, but we have also become friends. She has met my daughter and I have met her puppy, and through this connection, we have both grown.” - Natalie Ruiz
"I appreciate the opportunity to learn from others about new businesses and how the business environment is evolving for women. It is an honor for me to watch mentees achieve the goals they set out for themselves." - Tracy Miller
”When I sit down with someone asking for advice or help on being a leader in the DIE space it inspires and fuels me. Our conversation gives me the strength to keep working hard for my community. It reminds me that others out there are fighting for the same things. Mentoring is one of the keys to driving my own success.” - Crystal Sincoff
If you’ve ever wanted to give back and promote the next generation into tech, consider becoming a PDXWIT mentor today. It’s not about how much you know or your job title, but about the difference you can make in the career of someone else, and you’ll be surprised at what you learn about yourself along the way.
Dawn Mott (she/they) is someone who has learned to ask for help as a mentee and step up when a mentor is needed. She tries to keep an open mind (although it’s sometimes hard for her not to snap to quick judgement or action), keep a growth mindset, and ask more questions. She is honored to serve as the Operations Manager of PDXWIT with her trusty dog companion, Mustard, by her side.