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90 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2022 we used to, I still love to hear about his endeav- ors as much as he does mine. What I've Given Back Recently, I've been able to participate on the other side of this relationship in an infor- mal way. My mentee is passionate about the industry and brings a new perspective. She has helped me expand my leadership skills while getting me out of my comfort zone. e energy she brings to the table each time we meet is contagious. It's been very rewarding to watch her progress into a young professional and I can't wait to cheer her on as she transitions into a full-time career. About the Opportunity e opportunities to mentor up-and-com- ing professionals are endless. Some companies have created internal mentorship programs for both potential mentees and mentors to get involved in. Other opportunities happen more tionships, I would argue that the mentor has as much to gain and learn from the partnership as the mentee. What I've Learned In my professional career, I've had several incredible engineering and business mentors whom I credit for my early career success. Each mentor helped me refine different skills that have been proven essential to my first full-time job. One of my first mentors worked on my technical writing skills while another focused on expanding my professional net- work. I've had mentors who focused on more of my day-to-day activities and how they might go about a project I am facing, while others have focused on the bigger picture. Each men- tor, whether officially defined as a mentor, was very valuable to me. Over the past couple of years, I have learned that the regularly sched- uled meetings allow me to ask questions and receive feedback in an open environment. If my mentor was unsure of an answer, they were always able to introduce me to someone who could help me. is allowed me to expand my professional network and meet professionals in other disciplines besides my own. However, the most important aspect of each of my mentorships was that they held me accountable to my goals. I am always grateful to share in my celebration with them with the completion of each goal, no matter how small. One of my dearest mentors, Dr. Chris Middle- brook, has provided me with endless support. During my second year of college, he encour- aged me to apply for IPC's Student Board Member position. He read through my applica- tion and provided a letter of recommendation. During the rest of my college career, Dr. Mid- dlebrook held a weekly "Coffee Chat" session for us to work on career development. When it was time to choose a full-time career, he pro- vided a listening ear and a sounding board for my thoughts. He made sure to allow space for me to make my own decision while providing his input. Although we don't talk as much as Figure 1: Paige Fiet with her college mentor, Dr. Chris Middlebrook.