What A Retiree At AT&T Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Telecommunications Industry
Frances, a retired AT&T employee, stresses the crucial importance of seeking a mentor "independent from your chain of command," advising that this expands professional networks and opens doors to future opportunities, including potentially securing a desired position. This mentorship, the interviewee emphasizes, should be a continuous process, evolving over time as career goals change.
Mentorship, Networking, Career Development, Leadership, Industry Insights
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
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Traits
Frances Groeneman
Retiree
AT&T
University of Redlands, 1994
University of LaVerne MSLM
Business Management & Admin
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Seek mentorship from someone outside your direct chain of command.
2. Mentorship relationships evolve; be open to multiple mentors throughout your career.
3. Mentorship expands your network and opens doors to new opportunities and career advancement.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
I just love this question because I learned the hard way. It was really hard, but you have to find someone to mentor you.
Now, there are different ways to do that. Typically, you may have a good relationship with your boss and think of them as a mentor. However, the role of a mentor should be someone independent from your chain of command.
So, find someone who is in a position you aspire to be in, someone you respect and admire. Look for someone with a stellar reputation within the company or someone you've seen in leadership.
If you think, "Gosh, I could really benefit from some conversations or mentoring," then get yourself a mentor right away. Mentorship relationships evolve. Perhaps a mentorship relationship will last a year or two, and then you'll move on to being mentored by someone else.
But always, always be on the lookout for someone to mentor you and learn from them. Not only do you learn from them, but it also expands your network and opens you up to other opportunities.
Again, maybe you pursue someone in a position to which you aspire. Having that relationship can give you further insight into more details about that position. They will know you, and you will establish a reputation with them, positioning you to move on to that role in the future.
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