YOUNG ENGINEERS | MENTORING MUTUAL BENEFIT Following the launch of the CIBSE Mentor platform earlier this year, Aecoms Jennifer Cox and Mary-Ann Clarke share insights from their mentorship journey, and how it has fostered a culture of continuous learning and development L earning from a mentor opens up a multitude of avenues. Youll discover opportunities youd never even thought about, says Jennifer Cox, ACIBSE, discussing the many benefits of mentor schemes for young engineers with her mentor Mary-Ann Clarke FCIBSE. Mentoring has become an integral part of professional development in many industries. Its ability to empower individuals, enhance skills, and foster career advancement, presents an opportunity for both mentors and mentees to engage in a relationship that propels personal and professional growth. Earlier this year, CIBSE launched a pioneering programme aimed at cultivating a culture of mentorship within the organisation. The initiative seeks to encourage more professionals to embrace the role of mentors while inspiring others to step forward as mentees. Cox, an electrical engineer at Aecom and Clarke, a director at Aecom, are great examples of the positive impact mentoring can have on both parties. They interviewed each other for CIBSE Journal on how the mentor scheme has enriched their professional lives. Jennifer: How long have you been a mentor? Mary-Ann: Ive been in the industry for 20 years and been mentoring for about 15 of those. Currently, Im mentoring you and one other. I also do quite a bit of sponsorship, mentoring people going through the last stages of their chartership. Jennifer: What led you to being my mentor? Mary-Ann: You joined us from Edinburgh in 2019. It was a whole new experience for you, but you slotted well into the team, and I really saw something in you. I thought you had fantastic potential, so nominated you for CIBSE Graduate of the Year in 2020. That was when I started properly mentoring you. Jennifer: It started with me asking questions about how to get involved, and then, when you nominated me for the 24 September 2023 www.cibsejournal.com Jennifer Cox (left) and Mary-Ann Clarke award, we went through it step by step together, looking at what I had done with Aecom and with CIBSE. Mary-Ann: It was amazing when you won and got to go out to the States for the ASHRAE conference. Wed spent hours going back and forth over your presentation until it felt perfect. I really wanted to push you forward. We got you involved with the CIBSE channels; you are now chair of CIBSE YEN London and committee member for Youth Engagement of CIBSE Patron, really getting your name out there. Jennifer: What changes have you seen in me since you became my mentor? Mary-Ann: I genuinely see how youve become so much more confident in your own ability. At the start, you were a little unsure but, over the years, Ive watched you grow. Now, rather than coming to me to ask what to do, youll say: Im thinking of doing this, whats your opinion? The dynamics have changed, and that shows great progress. Jennifer: Being able to talk to you and have that relationship grow so naturally has been great. Having that back-and-forth dynamic has really helped me grow with the confidence side, but also in understanding what opportunities are out there and what I can achieve with my career. We often talk about my future and what I want my job to look like five years from now; our continuing conversation has helped me develop those plans. Mary-Ann: Yes, weve spent a lot of time exploring your options and what feels right for you. If youre not sure something is pointing you in the right direction, youre able to come to me and weve been able to figure out what experiences would be better suited. Wed rather you have the room to grow into your career at Aecom than leave for another job; being able to evaluate those choices together is so important. Jennifer: Ive been very fortunate to have you there to guide me towards certain people or projects, pushing me to become more proactive and engaged in what Im interested in. Jennifer: Why did you want to be a mentor? What have you got out of the process? Mary-Ann: Ive always had this need to help people to be the