Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1522815
23 | Mentoring for Guidance and Growth For women striving to climb the corporate ladder in male- dominated fields like engineering, having an experienced guide can make all the difference. A recent survey revealed a sobering truth: while 76 percent of professionals acknowledge the importance of mentors, only 37 percent have one. 1 The reasons range from not knowing how to initiate the relationship to a lack of confidence in approaching potential mentors. However, those who find mentors gain a decisive competitive edge, with businesses reporting a 20 percent higher retention rate and 72 percent productivity increase among mentored employees. 2 As the next generation of women engineers looks to overcome persistent barriers, our leaders share their secrets on leveraging mentorship for guidance, growth, and career success. Take an Organic Approach to Finding a Mentor Only 14% of mentorships start by asking someone specifically to be your mentor, while 61% develop naturally. 3 Shari Begun, VP of worldwide IoT sales at Renesas Electronics, finds inspiration for her mentoring approach from how she found mentors. "I've only been in one formal mentoring program in my career. Most of my mentors have come organically—meeting other women in sales," Begun expresses. "The mentors who have helped me in my career have been colleagues who are five to ten years older than me. And each mentorship started with something small—grabbing coffee or lunch." Taking the first step to contact a potential mentor may be intimidating. However, a more organic approach, like asking someone out to lunch or to grab a coffee, creates an opportunity to ask questions naturally. Mentors are also discovered in surprising locations. Punya Prakash, vice president and general manager at Infineon Technologies, found a mentor while interviewing for a new role. "The interview connected us, and we immediately hit it off. Now, this person is my mentor, and I can go to them for advice. It was a great organic way to find a new mentor," says Prakash. Alice Martins, a vice president and general manager who oversees 18 percent of Sensata Technologies' total revenue, also supports