Technical Mentorship and Sponsorship: Why You Need It and How to Find It

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Panelists

  • Erin Chapple, Group Program Manager, Microsoft
  • Jennifer El, Software Quality Assurance Manager, Symantec
  • Leah Melvoin, Voice of the Developer, Amazon
  • Ira Pramanick, Staff Software Engineer, Google
  • Cathleen Wharton, Senior Engineering Manager, Sun
  • Moderator: Raquel Romano, Software Engineer, Google, Inc.


Abstract

Did you know that the odds of being promoted at any level of your career are dramatically increased when you have a "sponsor" with a seat at the decision-making table who can advocate on your behalf? But this can only happen if that sponsor has detailed knowledge of your body of work, thought processes, decision-making skills, and technical strengths. This panel is dedicated to helping you find such a mentor.

Panel Slides

Resources


Links

Contents

Mentor

  • The person who has the part of making a positive change.
  • Make you stronger
  • Help you improve in many skills
  • Help you to take responsibility of your mistakes
  • Expand beyond the regular path.
  • Set an example to you, you can't give advice with out giving example
  • Support you

How to choose?

  • Knows you
  • You have chemistry
  • You feel comfortable telling personal things

Technical mentor

  • Review at a very detailed level what it's expected from you.
  • Get passioned from what you do
  • Identifies areas of growth

  • Opens doors for you
  • Shows your work to other persons
  • Can be your eyes ans ears
  • Suggests new opportunities to you
  • Facilitates partnership
  • Should't be your direct manager

How to choose?

  • Someone who has influences
  • Not your peer
  • Doesn't need to be at an executive level

Where to look?

  • People who excel their work
  • They don't have to be manager but they should have done significant technical jobs.
  • Through social networks

The role as a mentee

  • You should be someones who want's to grow, and learn
  • Want to accomplish something
  • You have passion
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