Breaking into the tech industry can be exciting and full of opportunities, but it also comes with challenges, especially for women. From imposter syndrome to lack of representation, many aspiring women in tech struggle to find their place in a male-dominated field.
The good news? Mentorship can change everything. Having a mentor, a role model who has walked the path before you, can provide guidance, confidence, and opportunities that accelerate your career. Whether you're a student, early-career professional, or transitioning into tech from another industry, mentorship can help you overcome obstacles and thrive.
Why Women Are Still Underrepresented in Tech
Despite growing awareness of gender diversity, women still hold only about 26% of computing-related jobs, and representation in leadership roles is even lower. Why?
Few women role models in leadership
Imposter syndrome and self-doubt
Lack of access to networks and sponsorship
Unconscious bias in hiring and promotions
Retention issues due to work-life balance challenges
But these barriers can be broken, and mentorship plays a key role.
How Mentorship Can Transform Your Tech Career
A good mentor can help you navigate the industry, build confidence, and accelerate your career growth. Here’s how mentorship can benefit you as an aspiring woman in tech:
1. Boosts Confidence and Overcomes Imposter Syndrome
Ever felt like you’re not “good enough” to be in tech? You’re not alone—75% of people experience imposter syndrome, and it’s especially common among women in STEM.
A mentor can help normalize your struggles, reassure you, and give you tools to push past self-doubt. They’ve been there before, and their support can make a huge difference in how you see yourself.
2. Provides Career Advice and Industry Insights
Not sure whether to specialize in software engineering, data science, UX design, or AI? Confused about whether to take a startup job or a corporate role?
A mentor can share their real-world experiences, helping you make informed career choices. They can also introduce you to new fields within tech that you might not have considered.
3. Opens Doors Through Networking and Opportunities
In tech, like in any other profession, who you know is just as important as what you know. A mentor can:
Introduce you to their network
Recommend you for job opportunities
Help you find internship and scholarship programs
Invite you to industry events and conferences
Networking can feel intimidating, but with a mentor guiding you, it becomes easier and more natural. However, Mentors are more likely to invest their time in someone they believe in, rather than a stranger with no demonstrated effort or commitment. To earn a mentor’s trust, aspiring women in tech should first show initiative by actively learning, building projects, or contributing to open-source communities. Demonstrating dedication through personal projects, self-learning, and engagement with industry trends proves that you are serious about your growth.
When reaching out, be specific about what guidance you need, rather than a vague “Can you mentor me?” ask clear, targeted questions like, “I’m transitioning into AI, how can I build real-world projects?” or “I’m preparing for a tech job interview, how do I stand out?” Respecting their time is equally important; keep messages concise, come prepared for meetings, and follow up with updates on how their advice helped you. By proving your potential and commitment, you make it easier for mentors to put their credibility on the line to support your growth.
4. Helps Navigate Challenges as a Woman in Tech
Unfortunately, challenges like gender bias, pay gaps, and lack of representation are still present in the industry. A mentor can:
Teach you how to negotiate salaries confidently
Guide you on dealing with workplace bias
Share strategies for career advancement
Their experience can help you stay resilient and push forward.
Building Meaningful Mentor-Mentee relationships: How to find and engage the right mentor
If you don’t have a mentor yet, here are five ways to find one:
1. Join Women in Tech Communities
There are many organizations that connect aspiring women with mentors, such as:
WomenTech Network (career growth and networking)
Women Who Code (global network)
Girls Who Code (for students)
AnitaB.org (focus on women in computing)
Tech Ladies (career growth and networking)
2. Find Internal Mentors at Work or School
If you’re in school, professors, alumni, or internship supervisors can be great mentors. If you’re working, look for senior women in tech at your company who might be open to mentoring.
3. Leverage LinkedIn
When reaching out to a potential mentor, identifying common interests such as shared passions in AI, open-source projects, or women in tech advocacy this can make your message more engaging and meaningful. Reviewing their work and mentioning these connections shows thoughtfulness and increases the likelihood of building a genuine relationship. Mentorship is a two-way street, so offering value, whether through sharing insights, contributing to their projects, or supporting their initiatives, makes the interaction more rewarding for both parties.
4. Attend Tech Meetups and Conferences
Events like the Grace Hopper Celebration, WomenTech, Women in AI, and local tech meetups are great places to connect with potential mentors.
5. Join Mentorship Programs
Some companies and universities have formal mentorship programs specifically for women in tech. Check if your school, employer, or local tech hub offers one.
Nurturing a Long-Term Mentor Relationship: Setting Goals, Taking Action, and Growing Together
Building a long-term relationship with a mentor requires consistent effort, clear communication, and a willingness to learn and grow.
Start by establishing a strong foundation through regular, meaningful interactions, rather than expecting immediate deep mentorship. Show your commitment by being prepared for conversations, actively listening to their advice, and implementing their suggestions. To make the relationship effective, define clear goals early on by identifying what you hope to achieve—whether it's improving technical skills, navigating career transitions, or gaining leadership insights. Break these goals into actionable steps and discuss them with your mentor, seeking their guidance on how to refine and accomplish them.
Keep them engaged by sharing updates on your progress, seeking feedback, and demonstrating how their mentorship has impacted your growth. By maintaining consistent communication, showing initiative, and applying their guidance, you create a lasting mentorship that evolves as your career progresses.
Paying It Forward: Be a Mentor Too!
As you grow in your tech career, consider becoming a mentor yourself. Even if you’re just one step ahead of someone else, your guidance can help another aspiring woman feel less alone and more confident in their journey.
Final Thoughts: You Belong in Tech
Mentorship has played a pivotal role in shaping my career, providing me with guidance, confidence, and opportunities that I might not have accessed on my own. Having mentors who believed in my potential helped me navigate complex career decisions, refine my leadership skills, and push past self-doubt when stepping into new challenges. Their insights allowed me to identify blind spots, set clear goals, and accelerate my growth by learning from their experiences rather than figuring everything out through trial and error. More than just advice, mentorship has given me a support system of people who challenge and inspire me, reinforcing the importance of continuous learning and strategic thinking. Most importantly, it has instilled in me the value of paying it forward, encouraging me to mentor others and contribute to a cycle of empowerment in the tech and AI community.
The tech industry needs more women like you, and mentorship can help you find your path, build confidence, and break barriers. Don’t hesitate to seek out guidance, build your network, and go after the opportunities you deserve.
Remember: You are capable. You are qualified. You belong here. 🚀
The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.
Author:
Sana Zia Hassan, Senior Manager, Technology Consulting at EY
