Why you should be a "One-Step" Mentor

This is a transcribed summary of my talk "One-Step Mentoring", which I created using Blog Recorder.

The talk was presented at DevFest WI 2024.

The YouTube video of the full talk can be found here or at the bottom of the article.

Hi there, I'm Steven Boucher, a QA automation engineer at Immunefi, and today I want to share my insights on mentoring within the tech industry. Before we dive into that, let me give you a brief about Immunefi. We're a Web3 company that caters to the good hackers, the whitehats, and software projects in the Web3 space. Our goal is to enable whitehats to earn a full-time income through bug hunting. We've recently hit a milestone of $100 million in whitehat payouts, which is a testament to our commitment.

How I Started Mentoring

My mentoring journey began somewhat unexpectedly. Back in 2017, I was a cashier at Walgreens and studying to become a Spanish teacher. However, I realized that path wasn't for me and decided to pivot to web development, hoping to break into the tech industry. I played to my strengths and landed a support role at a tech company, which eventually led me to QA and then to automation.

My first taste of mentoring came when I helped manual testers transition to automation. It was thrilling and fulfilling, and it sparked a desire to grow and give back. After moving to Trek Bicycle, I faced the daunting task of building two test automation solutions from scratch. I was assigned a mentor, and that experience was transformative. It not only helped me professionally but also made me realize the value of having someone in your corner.

Why I Embrace Mentoring

My motivation for mentoring is twofold. Firstly, the Spider-Man movies resonated with me, especially the phrase "with great power comes great responsibility." I wanted to use my growing competence to help others early in their journeys. Secondly, I was intrigued by the online business space, where people turn their knowledge into education or coaching businesses. I saw an opportunity to monetize my knowledge while also offering free mentoring to test my abilities.

The Classic vs. One-Step Mentoring Model

When we think of mentoring, we often imagine a traditional model where a mentor and mentee pair up, create a plan, and celebrate successes together. However, I've come to define mentoring a bit differently. In my one-step mentoring model, the mentor is just one step ahead of the mentee, possessing something valuable that the mentee seeks, whether it's experience, skills, or industry insight.

The Benefits of One-Step Mentoring

One-step mentoring offers two main advantages: relatability and relevance. Being close in your professional journeys means you can relate to each other's experiences, and the advice you give is more likely to be applicable in a fast-moving industry like tech.

Common Themes in Mentoring

Throughout my mentoring, I've encountered common themes such as imposter syndrome, skill gaps, job hunting, and career pathing. These are universal challenges, and as a mentor, I've helped others navigate them. For instance, I've assisted a friend with mobile automation problems, and another with QA interview preparation. I've also guided someone looking to shift from support to QA within their company.

Mentoring Is a Skill

I want to emphasize that mentoring is a skill, not an innate ability. It's something anyone can learn. It's about sharing what you know, being honest about what you don't, and being a friend to someone in need of guidance.

Unique Opportunities in Modern Mentoring

Today, mentoring doesn't just mean one-on-one calls. You can create courses, write newsletters, or even record asynchronous video feedback. There are many ways to mentor, and many of them are free.

Getting Started with Mentoring

If you're considering mentoring, there's no perfect time to start. You can begin today by simply offering your availability online, whether it's through ADPList, Topmate, or LinkedIn. You never know where it might lead.

I hope my story and insights on mentoring inspire you to consider taking that one step to help someone behind you. Remember, relatability and relevance are key, and you can start making a difference much sooner than you think. If you have any questions or thoughts, I'm all ears!