I was first introduced to the concept of mentorship fairly late in life. At twenty-three, I was a first-year graduate student at West Virginia University, desperately looking for a job to cover my expenses. When I finally got hired to work in a campus office, my boss was an intimidatingly fierce woman—someone who could get anything done and wasn’t afraid to let you know it. I was terrified of her, but now, fifteen years later, I can’t think of her without a deep sense of gratitude.
She took me under her wing, taught me all the trade secrets of surviving grad school, and helped me get accepted into several competitive PhD programs. She was, and still is, an institution unto herself. Her vast network of current and former mentees, most of them people of color or from underprivileged backgrounds, not only stay in touch but actively support one another in their personal and professional journeys. That community is a testament to the impact one person can have through mentorship.
Even then, I understood that meeting my first mentor was a pivotal moment in my life. Many of the opportunities I’ve had since then can be traced back to the lessons I learned from her. I recognized early on the transformative power that mentorship can have, and I committed to being a mentor as often as I could. Over the years, I’ve mentored in multiple organizations, helped Brazilian students navigate the U.S. graduate school system, supported first-year PhD students, and guided others in finding their paths outside of academia.
For me, sharing the knowledge that was once freely given to me, and that I’ve accumulated over time, is not just a personal value, but a professional strategy to fight inequity. It’s one small way I can contribute to building the next generation of clean energy professionals who will be on the front lines of tackling climate change.
As I’ve grown in my career, however, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to find mentors for myself. The higher up I go, the fewer women I see, and even fewer women of color. The challenges we face only become more complex, and having guidance becomes even more important.
I’ve had to be much more intentional about finding mentors and expanding my circle. I’ve done this by volunteering with women-focused organizations and by making a point to network one-on-one with senior women in the energy field.
In my fifteen years of being both a mentee and a mentor, I’ve learned a few key lessons. First, always keep your mind open to learning from others. Whether you’re the one giving or receiving advice, there’s always something valuable to gain. Second, relationships require care and maintenance. Our tendency is to keep our heads down and focus on our jobs, but the truth is that our networks are one of our most important assets. A quick check-in or a word of encouragement can go a long way. Lastly, don’t underestimate your impact. A brief conversation or small act of support can be exactly what someone needs to shift their path. Mentorship has a ripple effect: what you give multiplies in the life of someone else, and if they pay it forward, which they often do, it continues to grow.
For those who want to become mentors, I offer a few pieces of advice. Don’t shy away from formal mentorship programs. They provide helpful structure and can match you with people who either need what you have to offer or can offer what you need. Be intentional. Mentorship is often seasonal and focused, it’s like taking a class together, with a beginning, a goal, and ideally a sense of completion. Be consistent. Having a regular rhythm of meeting creates momentum and helps build trust. And finally, be present and honest. Listening well and showing up with humility will often mean more than having all the answers.
Author
Barbara S. dos Santos, Ph.D. is the Utility Partnerships Lead at Arcadia and a clean-energy policy specialist. A Brazilian immigrant in the United States and seasoned mentor, she champions diversity in climate and clean energy and volunteers with several organizations such as EDF Climate Corps and Women in Cleantech & Sustainability.
