THE CASE FOR MENTORING IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Mentoring relationships endure as the secret sauce for creating or sustaining momentum in a career. We act as resource libraries, professional confidants, and entry points into broader networks. Importantly, we provide valuable perspective on the road ahead and translate the dynamics of industry to students, graduates, career pivoters, and those re-entering the workforce. Professional associations and Fortune 500 companies alike invest in them. So why does this old-school way of learning persist, given the availability of so many virtual resources on how to “get ahead?” One reason: Mentoring relationships positively impact career success by forging strong social networks. This paper takes an interdisciplinary and personal look at the amplifying effect of mentors and their role in shaping geoscience career trajectories. It will review examples of programs established by organizations outside academia. It will also consider how these efforts spark multiple benefits by advancing equity and inclusion, fostering shared experiences, and cultivating professional presence.