The Best Resources for Mentorship – a Guide for Mentors and Mentees in the tech sector

Mentoring is a great way to increase your skills and learn from an expert in your chosen field.

The main benefit is skill-building; however, it also has a range of other benefits for organisations. For example, employees with mentors are more productive and have a 23% higher retention rate.

Additionally, other statistics show that 76% of employees viewed mentorship as important and, of those with a mentor, 97% say they are valuable. Mentorship is a method any organisation can incorporate, increasing employee well-being and satisfaction overall.

If you’re looking to learn more about mentorship, read more to find out the best resources to get started.

In this blog, we will cover:

• What mentoring is
• Why it is important
• The best resources for mentorship
• Tips for finding a mentor
• Mentoring do's and don'ts

Mentoring involves two individuals – a mentor and a mentee.

It involves a relationship where an experienced individual, known as the mentor, provides guidance, support and advice to a less experienced individual, known as the mentee. This collaborative partnership aims to facilitate the mentee’s personal and professional development by sharing insights, expertise and practical knowledge.

Mentorship is important for several reasons, playing a crucial role in personal and professional development.

With a recent 2022 study showing that 60% of people reported being emotionally detached at work and 19% reporting being miserable, there’s a growing need for workplaces to make changes to improve wellbeing. In terms of staff retention, mentorship fosters a sense of guidance and support, helping mentees navigate challenges and make informed decisions.

As more employees begin to value progression opportunities and culture over pay, mentorship can play a key role in helping individuals learn key skills, build confidence and provide mentees with the motivation needed to overcome obstacles.

At a relatively low cost, mentorship serves as a powerful tool for personal growth, knowledge sharing and the establishment of meaningful connections in your chosen industry.

Given the rate at which technology is advancing, mentorship becomes even more crucial in helping individuals stay relevant and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of their industries.

If your organisation doesn’t offer a mentoring programme, then don’t worry. Fortunately, there are a variety of mentoring tools available online to help people connect with others and establish a working relationship.

Below are some resources to use if you work in the tech sector and are interested in mentorship.

Coding coach is an open-source platform that aims to connect software developers and mentors across the world. As a free resource, it was built and designed by a group of passionate developers, who witnessed a gap in the sector.

Designed with coders in mind, it aims to streamlines the mentorship pairing process so that developers can connect with likeminded individuals.

You can both be a mentor and access a mentor on this website.

Criteria: Anyone who is interested in coding

Women in Tech is a global mentorship programme that is specifically designed for women. Powered by OneUpOneDown, it uses a unique mentorship experience to help participants gain valuable skills.

The mentorship experience uses a different approach to help individuals develop career-specific skills, empowering them to build confidence, communicate effectively and pursue opportunities.

To make the process easy, they propose the most suitable mentor/mentee in their network, taking into consideration personal factors and professional learning requirements.

Criteria: Women only

Black Girls in Tech was founded to become a community for black women in tech. It aims to create a safe space where black women can come together, encourage/ motivate one another and help each other on their journey.

It aims to create a community of strong black women in tech, supporting women at any level of their career journey. Additionally, members of the programme can also access scholarships and bootcamps that provide access to in-demand skills and training.

Criteria: Black women

APD List is a global community of Mentors and Learners. Founded in 2021, it aims to democratise mentorships for all by connecting people across the globe.

Since then, it has grown to 19,000+ mentors who have mentored more than 100 million minutes in 141 countries. This free platform offers individuals the chance to select mentors based on profession and connect with people across the world.

For example, you could be a Software Developer based in the North East connecting with a Senior Developer based in Canada.

Criteria: Anyone

The Out in Tech mentorship programme pairs LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 17-24 with tech professionals from Out in Tech’s membership.

Each mentee will learn a mix of technical and professional skills required for launching a successful career. Out in Tech comprises a board of directors, a small team of staff and volunteer-led chapters and communities across the world.

They aim to inspire queer and questioning youth to explore tech through Out in Tech U, support LGBTQ+ activists and host 150+ events annually to bring people together around the world.

Criteria: LGBTQ+ youth aged 17-24

Reed’s Women in Technology Mentoring Programme has been designed to help women develop skills, access tailored guidance and achieve their personal goals.

As a free course for women in tech, it connects women at any stage in their careers with external mentors who provide tailored guidance and support. The programme helps individuals realise their potential and achieve personal success.

Criteria: Women

Whatever stage you're at in your career, Tech Talent Engine is here to help. Whether you're seeking mentorship, looking for a job or simply would like advice from the experts, we can bring you back on track.

Simply register to create your free account today.