Let’s talk about mentorship, not the corporate, polished, “you must find a mentor” kind they talk about in seminars, but the real kind. The “I need someone who gets it before I lose my mind” kind.
As a woman in engineering, I’ve come to realize mentorship isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a lifeline. A compass. Sometimes even a venting buddy who knows when to listen and when to remind you that you're actually killing it, even when you don't feel like it.
Forget the textbook definitions for a second. In real life, mentorship is just one person helping another figure things out, sharing what they know, lending perspective, and occasionally dragging you back to your feet when the job knocks the wind out of you.
And no, your mentor doesn’t need to be older, have grey hair, or have a Wikipedia page. Some of the best advice I’ve ever received came from peers who were figuring things out right alongside me.
Engineering, in many places, is still a man’s world. You can feel it in subtle comments, the surprised looks when you speak up confidently, and the unspoken pressure to “prove” yourself twice as hard.
Having someone in your corner who understands that someone who’s walked this path or is still walking it is invaluable. It’s not about comparing struggles with male colleagues. It’s about acknowledging that the experience is different, and that’s okay. What matters is figuring out how to navigate it and mentorship helps.
When I first started, I thought finding a mentor meant some formal request, coffee meeting, LinkedIn message, the works. But honestly? My first real mentor was just a teammate who answered my endless questions without making me feel small.
Teamwork has a funny way of turning into mentorship if you're open to it. Helping each other, sharing experiences, learning together, it’s all part of it. Those relationships tend to last longer, too. Case in point: I still reach out to teammates from my 2010 internship when I need advice. And guess what? They still show up.
There’ve also been times when I had to be intentional, spotting someone whose skills or values I admired and (nervously) asking if they'd be open to sharing their wisdom. Most times, people are flattered and willing. Some will say no, and that’s fine too. The key is knowing what you’re looking for, someone whose journey or mindset can help you shape yours.
Oh, and occasionally, you’ll find that someone has already noticed you. If that happens, lean in. It might be the start of something meaningful.
Let’s be honest: mentoring relationships can get weird without boundaries.
Set the tone early. What do you want out of it? What’s okay to talk about? How often will you check in? Being clear helps avoid misunderstandings, especially in peer mentorships, where things can blur fast.
And please, communicate. If you're stuck, say it. If you're overwhelmed, say that too. The whole point is support, not perfection.
I’ve been searching for a “formal” mentor in my field for three years now, and it's hard. Not everyone knows how to mentor. A lot of seasoned professionals never had mentors themselves, so they’re unsure what to offer. Some think it means hand-holding or re-teaching everything from scratch.
That’s not what mentorship is about. It’s about mutual growth. Reflection. Two people learning from each other’s perspectives, even if only one has the job title and experience.
For a while, I wasn’t sure where to turn when it came to finding a mentor who really understood the unique challenges of being a woman in engineering. Then I found Women in Mining Ghana, and everything changed.
Through this platform, I’ve connected with women who’ve walked similar paths, faced familiar struggles, and come out on the other side with insights worth gold (pun fully intended). These aren’t just professionals, they’re role models, sounding boards, and real-life examples that it’s possible to thrive and still be yourself.
There’s something powerful about talking to someone who gets it—not just as an engineer, but as a woman navigating expectations, ambition, and work-life balance. That kind of support? Game-changing.
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Mentorship isn’t always clean or obvious. Sometimes it’s formal, sometimes it’s over lunch breaks and long WhatsApp voice notes. Sometimes it saves your career, other times it just reminds you you’re not alone.
If you haven’t found your mentor yet, keep looking. And if someone reaches out to you, consider that maybe you’re becoming the mentor you once needed.
That, my friend, is full circle.
