I recently had the pleasure of taking part in the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) Mentorship program. The program is designed to connect company members who are looking to develop relationships within the industry, helping them grow in their careers, improve their skill set, and provide opportunities for networking and gaining meaningful connections within the GTIA community.
Joining the mentorship program
The program focuses on sharing knowledge and secrets to success, guiding and supporting the mentee to achieve their goals and reach their full potential, both professionally and personally.
I joined the mentorship program because I’m always looking for ways to develop myself. Having never had a mentor before, I thought this would be a great opportunity to connect with someone in the industry outside of my current company and gain new skills that would benefit my career.
Why mentorship matters
I’ve always believed in the value of mentorship. I knew that having someone to guide, challenge, and support you could make a huge difference both professionally and personally. However, I didn't know how to find a mentor or even how to approach someone for such a relationship. Joining this program changed that, creating an intentional space for mentorship to take place.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up for the program. At first, I suppose I expected it to be quite structured, and while there was some structured guidance, the majority of the plan was left for my mentor and me to decide on our structure and cadence, which I liked.
How the program is organised
Being matched with a mentor is based on your background, including the type of role you hold and the goals you want to focus on, whether that be a specific challenge or a career progression goal. I was matched with Alicia Shepherd, who has a background in sales and sales leadership and has walked a similar path to mine, so it was interesting to hear about her journey, listen to her reflections, and consider the things she might have done differently.
For my personal journey, we focused on two key areas: leadership and management, and career progression.
Length of the program
The cohort runs for a total of 16 weeks, during which time drop-in calls are hosted between the mentor and mentee.
The first couple of weeks are all about getting to know each other and setting objectives. After the settling-in period, the focus is on setting objectives and clear milestones with regular check-ins to review progress. As the program progresses, conversations turn to career paths and long-term goals. Towards the end, the next steps are discussed, as well as what the mentor-mentee relationship can look like in the future.
For Alicia and me, what we agreed on was a ‘doors always open policy’ to discuss any future challenges.
Mentor and mentee roles
Trust plays a significant role in the mentor-mentee relationship, which is why confidentiality is crucial in creating a safe space for sharing and exploring thoughts and ideas.
As a mentee, it’s your responsibility to stay engaged throughout the program, commit to self-development, set clear goals, prepare for meetings, and come prepared with an agenda. For mentors, they’re responsible for being a positive role model, a resource, and a sounding board, offering encouragement and guidance, and sharing lessons learned from their own experiences.
Key highlights and milestones
What stood out to me during the program is that mentorship has evolved into an ongoing, supportive relationship. My mentor has challenged me to think differently and helped me see my personal strengths, which has built my confidence. A key moment for me was seeing the positive impact I had on my team from implementing Alicia’s advice.
When it comes to challenges, the only one I would highlight is that it was sometimes tricky to coordinate our diaries, but to overcome this, we would always book our next meeting at the end of each session. It was important to both be committed to the process.
The results of being part of the program
For me, taking part in the GTIA Mentorship Program has been a truly transformative experience. It not only helped me gain clarity on my career goals but also pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, build confidence, and grow as a leader.
Through my sessions with Alicia, I strengthened my communication skills, developed a deeper sense of empathy, and learned how to lead with greater impact. Having a mentor who genuinely listened, challenged me, and shared her journey made all the difference.
I’ve come away from the program with lasting insights, a new perspective, and a meaningful professional relationship that I know will continue to support me long after the program concludes.
As a champion of the initiative, Alicia shared her experience of the program:
"It’s been great to hear all the positive feedback from everyone involved in the first cohort. Personally, it was an incredibly rewarding experience being a mentor - it allowed me to share my knowledge and experience, while also learning new things about myself along the way. I highly recommend this initiative and look forward to seeing it continue to grow as we gear up for our second cohort".
Looking forward
So, would I do it again? Absolutely! The day you stop learning is the day you stop living! This experience has shown me the value of continuous growth and connection. For anyone considering becoming a mentor or mentee, my advice is to get involved and trust in the process. I’ll admit, I was nervous at first, unsure of what to expect, but I’m so glad I took the leap. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding professional experiences I’ve had.
To find out more about the mentorship program, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIatbRCqmsY
