UQ1168

How can I tell whether an engineering workplace has good mentoring?

During an interview or workplace visit, ask specifically about onboarding, whether each new engineer has a mentor, how often consultations and reviews occur, and what support is provided before working independently. Ask junior employees who actually gives advice, how frequently, and how the workplace handles mistakes and learning. Check not only whether a program exists, but whether people use it and feel able to ask questions; if possible, compare several employees’ accounts with official information.

Key points

  • Look beyond the existence of a mentoring program and ask about the frequency of meetings, reviews, and goal-setting.
  • Ask current or recent junior engineers about the support they actually receive and how easy it is to seek help.
  • Cross-check interview answers with workplace visits, employee accounts, and official materials where possible.

Things to check

  • The quality and accessibility of mentoring can vary by team, supervisor, role, assignment, and time period, even within the same company.