Mentorship vs Sponsorship:
The IMPACT of Strong Support for SUPERGirls
By Guest Blogger #SUPERLady20 Amy Hinojosa
The thought of having a mentor can stir a range of emotions for those new to the concept. Yet despite the anxiety, establishing a mentor-mentee relationship is beneficial, especially to individuals who may not have the support otherwise.
When it comes to forming a relationship for the purpose of learning and expanding your horizon, it is helpful to understand your role as a mentee and what a mentor should bring to the table. Your success depends on your confidence in the mentor-mentee relationship. Don’t be afraid to seek help elsewhere if a relationship is not working.
There are many ways to secure a mentorship. If you are lucky enough to have access to a formal mentor program I highly recommend you take advantage of such an opportunity. The structure will help ease you into the process. However, you can establish a mentor-mentee relationship with anyone you feel can help you on your path forward. You may reflect on a current relationship and realize you are in fact being mentored, even if you have not officially labeled the relationship as such. Further, you may have more than one mentor and likely should have multiple people from whom you seek guidance. No matter your aspirations, you will probably need more than one person to help you navigate all fronts of your journey. 
A good mentee is respectful of their mentor. They identify topics for discussion, schedule meetings ahead of time and send an agenda if appropriate to help their mentor prepare. If your mentor gave you advice or “homework” in a previous session, you should show you acted on their advice and have follow-up questions. A mentee is not there to gain anything other than what is needed for their personal growth. If you find yourself in a mentor-mentee relationship with someone who is very well known, do not take advantage of the situation by name dropping or posting photos on social media, unless you have been given permission to share. Be sure to remain respectful and professional at all times.
The most important thing a mentor brings to the table is sincerity. You must be secure in the fact that your mentor cares for you, wants the best for you, and is not seeking anything in return. Mentors are usually, although not always, older than you and further along in their careers. They are excited to help another person grow because they too have experienced mentorship and value its essential role in personal development. A good mentor will care about you and be interested in your aspirations. They will be respectful and create a safe space for you to learn, ask questions, share concerns, and grow. Sincere motives are the foundation of a good mentor-mentee relationship. Mentors SHINE a light on things in your pathway that may be impossible for you to see due to lack of experience. They offer guidance and opinions along the way and at some point, they may even offer resources, which leads us to the next level of mentorship.
A successful mentor-mentee relationship will usually progress into what is referred to as a sponsorship. When a mentor feels confident in their mentee’s integrity and commitment to success, they will begin to advocate for them in professional settings. This can be anything from nominating you for an award, suggesting your promotion in the company, or introducing you to people in their professional circle. At this point, it is important to understand your mentor is using their hard-earned experience and good reputation to lift you up. Be sure to honor that with the utmost professionalism.
Having a mentor is essential to reaching your full potential. If you are wondering where to begin, I have good news for you because you took your first step by reading this article. The SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation is a great place to tap into a wealth of information via a network of highly successful women leadHERs who are movers and shakers in STEM and in our community. To learn more about our organization, how to get involved, or to contribute your time and resources, please contact us today!