When Corinne Skala first walked through Raytheon’s doors six years ago, she was filled with excitement and a touch of apprehension. A recent college graduate, she found herself in the Operations Talent Development Program (OTDP), a journey that would not only kick-start her career but also introduce her to the transformative power of mentorship.
“Through the OTDP, we were set up with three mentors during our first week,” Corinne recalls. “Having different levels of mentors within the company was extremely beneficial as a new employee.”
This initial experience, enriched with guidance from her peer, mid-level, and leadership mentors, opened doors that Corinne never knew existed. Her peer mentor became her trusty sidekick, tackling day-to-day questions, while her mid-level mentor acted as a seasoned guide with tried-and-true advice from their own experience. As for her leadership mentor, they became a networking superhero, linking Corinne with hiring managers who had open roles inside the company.
Now as the chief of staff for Operations and Supply Chain, Corinne is passionate about giving back and sharing her wisdom with others as a mentor herself. She understands how challenging it can feel to enter an organization and be overwhelmed by questions — and she never wants a lack of guidance to hold you back from reaching your full potential.
We caught up with Corinne to hear her best advice on how to establish mentorship relationships that can propel your career forward.
How to establish mentorship relationships
Step 1: Assess your mentorship needs
When considering how to establish mentorship relationships, Corinne suggests first reflecting on what kind of guidance you need.
“If you’re a new employee or starting out in a new role with more simple requests like tips and tricks for day-to-day success, someone who is a respected peer of yours, your manager, or has held a similar role recently might be a good option,” she explains.
Conversely, if you're looking to achieve long-term career goals, Corinne recommends seeking out managers or leaders inside your company whose qualities you admire. Learning from their successes and challenges can provide valuable insight and help you align your growth with the company’s vision.
Step 2: Leverage your network
“Aside from the mentors I was matched with when starting in the OTDP, all other mentors I’ve sought advice from and maintained relationships with have stemmed from my network.”
As you navigate your career, actively expanding your relationships with colleagues, peers, and leaders can open doors to invaluable guidance and support. Consider these people your personal board of advisors; they have the skills and experiences you aspire to develop and can point you in the right direction.
Once you’ve identified potential mentors, Corinne recommends approaching them with a clear request. “I ask if it’s okay to set aside time on their calendar to discuss a specific topic I’m looking to develop that they have experience in.”
Step 3: Set clear expectations and goals
After securing a mentor, Corinne encourages you to communicate your objectives effectively. “Mentors aren’t mind readers,” she laughs. “For every discussion, I like to come prepared with a list of questions that steer the conversation in a direction to provide the desired advice. If I have any requests or roadblocks that require resources from my mentor, I’ll come prepared with those requests to discuss during our meeting.”
Step 4: Show up with a plan
Time is a precious commodity, and mentors appreciate when their mentees come thoughtfully organized and with a clear agenda.
“Everyone is busy,” Corinne reminds us. “To maintain a positive relationship with mentors, it’s important to come prepared to every meeting with questions, topics for discussion, or specific requests that make the time productive for both parties.”
Step 5: Adapt as your career evolves
Mentorship is a dynamic process that should evolve as your career progresses. For Corinne, this has meant recognizing that as her professional journey unfolds, the type of support she seeks from her mentors will shift.
“As my career and goals have changed over time, I’ve increased the frequency of meetings with some mentors and spaced out meetings with others.”
Corinne prioritizes establishing strong connections and then sets up recurring meetings with those mentors, whether monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly, based on their availability and her goals. Flexibility is key; if a meeting is approaching but she feels she needs more time to prepare, she isn’t hesitant to cancel or reschedule, always providing as much advance notice as possible.
As you embark on your own mentorship journey, remember that it’s not just about finding a mentor but also nurturing those relationships. Each connection you make can serve as a stepping stone, providing valuable guidance and perspectives that enrich your career. Corinne encourages you to embrace the opportunity to learn from others and give back as your own career evolves. You never know, one day you might find yourself on the other side, returning the favor to someone just starting their path.
Want to grow your career through mentorship opportunities with Raytheon? Make a difference with a career at RTX. With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges.
