Why did you decide to become a mentor?
I decided to become a mentor to pay it forward and give back to the community all the help I had received from my mentors. There's power in connection, and there's power in mentorship. When I started my career in technology, I was just one of a few in the room that was a woman and a person of color. Since beginning my journey in technology, I knew that I wanted to help others like me along the way. After I finished my Master's in Computer Science in 2017, I started to get involved in projects and programs for diversity and inclusion, and I started actively working as a formal and informal mentor. I decided to become a mentor on MentorCruise because I saw the power of the platform in connecting with people all around the globe.
How did you get your career start?
While in Brazil, I was offered a scholarship to attend Jackson State University, a Historically Black College and University in Jackson, Mississippi, in the US. This opportunity would mean quitting my job in Marketing to go totally out of my comfort zone and pursue something new. I was frightened and at the same time excited! I saw where the world was going with recent advancements in technology, and I wanted to be part of the creators of this new area. The chair of the department and my advisor at the time were essential to encourage me to keep going. When I graduated, he told me: “Once you were standing on the shoulders of others; now it is time for you to be the shoulders of other women and pay it forward”. I never forgot that because many opportunities were open to me while doing my Masters, even being a Latina woman of color in a male-dominated field like STEM.
What do mentees usually come to you for?
My mentees come to me asking questions about career transition, how to break into technology, networking, navigating corporate America, and telling their professional stories compellingly. As a woman of color myself, I know the importance of networking and creating solid relationships. My mentees are usually young professionals with unique backgrounds who need help understanding the technology market, career opportunities, and how they can navigate challenging professional situations and become resilient in the long term.
What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?
My favorite story is one that happened to two of my mentees almost simultaneously. While I was running a group mentoring program in 2022, two women from a healthcare background with zero experience in technology wanted to pursue a software engineering career. After my 2-month mentoring program, both of them were able to find an entry-level job in two multinational companies. Through the resume and LinkedIn review sessions, along with the personal storytelling and networking session, they could clarify their professional goals, be laser-focused on applying for the jobs they wanted, and stand out in the job interviews. They finally found the path in companies aligned with their career goals and personal values. As a career mentor, that’s the most essential thing that can happen with my mentees: finding jobs aligned with their values and in sync with their career goals.
What are you getting out of being a mentor?
Seeing my mentees succeed is the most rewarding feeling I gain from being a mentor, which is why I continue doing what I do. I learn from my mentees in every session. I understand not only their stories and backgrounds but also their points of view coming from different countries and cultures and how they approach difficult situations throughout life. It is impressive to hear resilient stories and help them see the power within them. Through mentoring, I can empower others, be a better mentor, and help them open their minds to all the possibilities in careers in technology and how they can contribute to the world in different ways.