I’ve been thinking a lot about mentoring lately. A couple of years ago, when I moved from QA to a junior data role, I felt completely lost. Most of my team were supportive, but I didn’t really have someone I could ask “silly” questions without feeling awkward. I remember one meeting where I kept quiet because I thought my idea was too basic, and later a senior engineer said it was actually a good point. That made me realize how much confidence plays a role.
So I’m curious — how important has mentoring been for you as a woman in tech? Did you find a mentor formally through a program, or did it just happen naturally? And do you think structured communities actually make a difference, or is it more about personal chemistry?
It’s funny you say that, because I had almost the same experience when I switched into machine learning. I also felt like everyone else had some secret knowledge I didn’t. What really helped me was joining a women-in-tech community where mentorship was encouraged but not forced. Sometimes it was just reading interviews and practical tips from other women that made me feel less alone.
For example, I once came across this article https://www.womentech.net/breaking-ai-ml-tips-tech-savvy-women-2020. It’s not a mentoring program itself, but it shares real advice from women working in AI and ML, and that kind of insight can feel like informal mentoring. Later, I found a mentor through a networking event, and honestly, the biggest value wasn’t technical advice — it was someone saying, “You’re not behind. You’re learning.” That changed everything for me.
I just stumbled on this thread while scrolling, and it’s really nice to see people talking openly about growth in tech. No matter the field, having someone a few steps ahead who’s willing to share their experience can make a big difference. At the same time, I think peer support is underrated too — sometimes colleagues at the same level understand your struggles even better. In the end, whether it’s formal mentoring or casual chats over coffee, what matters is feeling supported and not isolated in your career journey.
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