At one point or another, we’ve all needed guidance from a mentor: someone who’s been there, done that and can offer a fresh perspective when we’re feeling stuck in our careers.
At Cox, there’s no shortage of mentorship opportunities — and employees who become mentors stand to gain just as much from the experience.
Being a mentor isn’t just about sharing your knowledge; it’s a chance to sharpen your own skills, see things from a fresh perspective and, yes, maybe even reignite some of the passion that brought you into the field in the first place.
“Mentors are a spark of optimism, an accelerant who can ignite the flame of untapped potential,” said Al Viller, a senior manager of corporate communications at Cox Enterprises. “I love mentoring because it’s a rewarding relationship that fosters mutual growth.”
Keep reading to hear more from Cox mentors about the many ways mentorship has enriched their lives and careers.
It can help you develop as a leader.
Mentoring is an informal form of leadership — and a great way to practice and develop skills you need to be a great boss.
“As a mentor, I've been able to enhance my active listening skills, which enables me to guide mentees effectively,” said Ashesh Sahib, director of product management at Cox Automotive, based in Austin, TX.
Blake Dibala, a Cox Automotive business intelligence senior manager based in the Bay Area, said that mentoring has boosted his confidence in the value of the lessons and experiences.
“To be honest, mentoring someone else has helped me as much, or maybe more, than being a mentee,” he said. “I do have wisdom worth sharing; it’s truly a wonderful feeling.”
It allows you to expand your network.
For Gema Salgado, the true reward of mentorship lies in witnessing her mentees’ growth and success. Beyond that sense of fulfillment, she shared that these relationships often feel like “collaborative partnerships,” offering her just as much in return.
“I find so much joy in mentoring because it allows me to learn from others and gain fresh perspectives, while sharing my own experiences,” said Gema, who is a Cox Communications learning and development manager based in Phoenix, AZ. “I also get to build long-lasting relationships, stay in touch, build friendships and get to know awesome people.”
Aaron Wood, a Houston, TX-based director of portfolio management at Cox Automotive explained that mentorship at Cox is a two-way street: learning goes both ways.
“Mentorship is the place where the org chart is flat,” he said. “It’s a safe place to serve, coach, celebrate and vent — all vital things needed for a sustainable career.”
It’s a chance to pay it forward.
For many, becoming a mentor is a meaningful way to honor those who helped shape their careers — a way of passing the baton, so to speak.
“I chose to mentor because I have had incredible mentors in the past that have helped me to become a better employee and navigate many personal and professional challenges,” said Madeline Cheshire, a business process design and improvement analyst at Cox Enterprises. “I hope to provide this type of support to my mentees.”
Senior project/program manager Ania Fiore finds joy in the close bonds she builds with her mentees by sharing her career journey at Cox Communications and offering them valuable perspective.
“I listen to their experiences and strive to help them feel like they’re not going through this alone by sharing my own professional journey,” Ania said. “I like to share advice and resources and help overcome obstacles.”
It can bring you more happiness at work.
Whether you’re a mentor or a mentee, the benefits of these relationships often extend far beyond career growth. At its core, mentorship is about connection — a reminder that no one succeeds alone and that our work lives are richer when built on meaningful relationships.
Rhonda Hepburn, a learning and development manager at Cox Enterprises, sums up the recipe for mentorship perfectly: “Mentoring is part exploration, part inspiration with heaping sprinkles of kindness, honesty and encouragement throughout.”
