Mentorship isn’t only about decades of experience; it’s about perspective, encouragement, and community. “You don’t need a title or years of experience to start helping others. Share what you’ve learned so far whether it’s how you solved a tricky bug, navigated an interview, or onboarded to a new tool. Even small moments of clarity can be game-changing for someone just a few steps behind you,” says Harini Shankar, a Director of Technology with over 15 years of mentorship experience in software leadership, quality engineering and regulatory technology systems. A recognized leader in the U.S. technology community, Harini has mentored dozens of engineers and emerging leaders through conferences, industry networks, and hackathons.
Harini’s mentoring philosophy has inspired many in the technology community, and her work continues to shape how organizations approach inclusive leadership and professional development in tech.
Mentorship isn’t reserved for senior titles. No matter where you are in your career, you have something valuable to offer.
Why Mentorship Matters (Even Early in Your Career)
Mentorship doesn’t just matter for the mentee, it matters for the mentor as well. It’s a learning experience for everyone involved. And get this: you don’t need to have all the answers to be a mentor, even if it might feel that way. Being yourself and providing your own insights is completely valid and beneficial for the mentee.
Mentorship helps mentors become better leaders because it builds empathy, sharpens communication, and encourages reflection.
While mentees gain guidance and encouragement, mentors grow too by:
- Strengthening leadership skills: translating technical or personal experience into guidance for others.
- Deepening self-awareness: recognizing their own habits, values, and blind spots through reflection.
- Expanding their influence: building trust and visibility across teams and communities.
- Experiencing a new perspective: seeing their career through the eyes of someone earlier in their journey.
- Engaging in cross-generational learning: connecting with bright, up-and-coming technologists to exchange ideas and insights.
These aren’t optional extras; they’re career accelerators.
Advice from a Mentor Herself
“I found myself naturally drawn to helping colleagues untangle complex code, navigate tough decisions, or prepare for their next career move,” Harini says. “What started as hallway conversations and code reviews evolved into something much deeper. Over the years, mentoring has become one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career from coaching dozens of engineers and emerging professionals across enterprise teams to guiding participants in national initiatives such as Rewriting the Code, the Society of Women Engineers, and industry hackathons. I’ve moved from one-on-one technical guidance to shaping enterprise-wide engineering culture, building second-level leadership, and developing frameworks that empower engineers to transition into technical management roles.
Harini’s mentoring style is built on six foundational skills, each one a lever for impact: listening deeply, giving thoughtful feedback, reflecting on your own journey, storytelling through experience, leading with empathy, and lifting others through small, consistent acts of support.
But even mentors face challenges: “One experience that has stayed with me involved mentoring an engineer who was technically capable but quietly struggling with self-doubt. They were hesitant to take ownership, speak up in meetings, or pursue leadership even though the potential was clear,” Harini reflects. “Over several months, I worked closely with them pairing on code reviews, practicing stakeholder communication, and reframing setbacks as learning opportunities. I watched them grow from someone who questioned their place in the room to someone who led cross-team initiatives with confidence.
“When they were later promoted and thanked me publicly for believing in them before they believed in themselves it reminded me why I mentor. That experience profoundly shaped how I approach mentorship. It’s not just about enabling someone’s next role, it’s about helping them see what they’re truly capable of. And sometimes, that shift in mindset is the most powerful transformation of all.”
Through her ongoing mentorship efforts, Harini is helping build a more equitable and innovative technology workforce, ensuring that the next generation of engineers inherits not only technical excellence but also the values of empathy and collaboration.
Want to learn more or connect with a mentor like Harini?
Explore our mentor database and appointments!
How to Begin as a Mentor
You can start mentoring immediately by sharing your experiences in small, informal ways.
Harini says, “You can start by reviewing a peer’s pull request with kindness, offering to pair on a task, or simply being the person who listens when someone is stuck. These informal acts of support are mentorship.”
If you would like to formalize the process, here are a few steps to get started:
- Identify who you could mentor (peers, interns, students, community members).
- Start small: informal coffee chats, resume feedback, or Q&A sessions.
- Join formal programs such as Rewriting the Code’s mentorship program or your organization’s internship program.
As a mentor, you’ll be most effective when you understand what your mentee wants and needs. Our community survey showed that mentees believe the best mentorship is:
- One-on-one, long-term guidance with regular check-ins
- Virtual
- With a comparable academic background
They also shared the areas they care about most:
- Clarifying career path and direction
- Building technical and soft skills
- Navigating job search and applications
- Boosting confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome
- Sustaining long-term growth in workplace culture
Even the smallest gesture of support can create a lasting ripple effect in someone’s career.
Common Myths to Let Go Of
There are so many myths around being a mentor, about what it takes or doesn’t take, but here are the three biggest myths:
Myth: “I need to be an expert.”
Reality: You don’t need to know everything. You just need lived experience worth sharing. Even a small insight can make a big impact.
Myth: “Mentorship is one-sided.”
Reality: Mentors grow just as much, through reflection, leadership, and deeper connection with their craft. It’s a two-way street, always.
Myth: “Mentorship takes too much time.”
Reality: It’s as lightweight or involved as you make it. One thoughtful check-in a month can matter more than hours of formal meetings.
Get Started Mentoring
Mentorship starts with a single step, and progress follows once you engage authentically.
Harini’s best piece of advice for people who are scared or nervous about being a mentor? Just do it. “Start before you feel ready because mentorship isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about being willing to share what you do know with honesty and heart,” she says. “You don’t have to be perfect or have decades of experience. You just need to care, listen, and show up with the intention to support someone else’s growth.”
It all begins with a single act of support. Take that step today:
- Sign up to be a mentor for Rewriting the Code
- Talk to your supervisor and see if there’s a way to get involved in your company’s internship mentor program.
- Put out a call on social media to see if anyone is looking for a mentor
One action can spark someone’s entire career. Take it, today.
