The 2025 Women in the Workplace report from McKinsey & Company identifies the “broken rung” as a continuing barrier to gender parity and career progression in technical fields. The term “broken rung” refers to the difficulty that women have in ascending the career ladder, leaving them trapped in lower-level positions. Mentoring offers a way to circumvent that broken rung and move confidently toward your individual career goals.
Studies show that mentored women in STEM see their promotion rates increase by 20% to 30% compared to their unmentored peers. Similarly, 59% of women in C-suite positions reported having a mentor at some point in their career, further highlighting mentoring as a common denominator in achieving career goals, according to a report from the Womentech Network.
Securing a mentor is something everyone can benefit from. It is not just for high-flying and ambitious career seekers. When done well, it can support career mobility, confidence, and long-term talent retention in technology-related positions across all seniority levels.
It’s all about sharing
Mentorship is a relationship where a more experienced colleague supports someone earlier in their career. Its value is most visible at key transition points, especially the move into first line leadership roles.
We spoke to several Volvo Group employees in an effort to better understand the machinations of mentorship and also the perceived benefits that it can bring.
According to Mandy Böbinger, Managing Director Czech Republic and Slovakia for Renault Trucks, the value of a good mentor cannot be understated. “I had the honor to have a mentor when I started my journey with Renault Trucks/Volvo Group. I joined as Director, People and Culture, and my mentor was a very experienced colleague leading P&C activities in Spain. She was an inspiration – and still is.”
Support on the journey to being a leader
Mentors don’t just help you in your current role – one of the most important elements is how they can support your further growth both personally and professionally.
Breanna Jordan, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, explains: “One of my previous colleagues recommended that I apply for the job I am in today. I didn't think I was ready to take this role, but she encouraged me to apply. She was also an advocate for me and my abilities to the hiring manager. This is just one example, she advocated for me in many ways, sometimes even to myself when I was doubting myself, throughout my career.”
Having the right mentor can increase your visibility at work and help to better showcase your potential. One Volvo Group employee, who wished to remain anonymous, explained how mentorship helped to move her career in the right direction by encouraging her to apply for her first leadership role, and supporting her through a reorganization and a change in work location.
Strengthening the first leadership steps through structured mentorship
For many, regular monthly or bi-monthly meetings with their mentor helps to set the tone for their ongoing relationship.
“I would like to have regular check-ins every other month where we could set clear goals for my career development and share feedback and experiences. I’d like these conversations to cover not only professional and technical skills but also the softer sides of work like handling challenging situations, working effectively with others, and gaining insight into my mentor’s approach and perspective,” says Cornelia Nielsen, Design Engineer at Volvo Group.
What effective mentorship delivers:
“I think one barrier to having a mentor could just be the culture around it. The work you do can be very apparent to the people around you, and often times feedback or advocacy can be something that's viewed in just a peer-to-manager relationship. The more you speak up about the people around you, the more comfortable they will be doing the same for you,” says Breanna.
She continues: “When I first became a manager, I was fortune to find a mentor in someone who I had previously worked with in a different department. It was extremely helpful to have her viewpoint while I was overcoming the obstacle of managing previous peers. She helped me reflect on my decisions and prepare for future actions by allowing me to walk through my thought process, provide an outsider’s perspective, and also provide me with advice when I wasn't sure of the next best step. Sometimes your manager can have blinders on when they come from the same organization you're in, so certain topics really needed an outsider's perspective.”
A priceless sounding board
Staying strong and composed when faced with the challenges of everyday work and relationships can be hard. This is where the voice of reason that many mentors bring to the table can be a lifesaver.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself to behave perfectly, sound confident, and make sure no one noticed that I was struggling. Then I had a conversation with my mentor within the Volvo Group that completely changed my perspective. He told me something simple but powerful: “It’s okay to say that some days you’re not doing well. We’re all human.” That moment made me realize that we don’t have to create pressure to act perfect or look perfect. Authenticity matters. Acknowledging our vulnerability is not a weakness, it’s actually a strength. His advice truly changed my mindset, and I could better perform at work without any prejudice, and I must say he has an incredible sense of emotional intelligence. It reminded me that while we often focus on building our IQ, developing our EQ is just as important. Because in the end, being human at work is not a flaw, it’s what connects us,” says Prativa Dhal, Digital Product Area Owner IM.
Even simple advice on how you handle yourself in front of senior leaders can make a huge difference in how you are viewed and ultimately valued at work.
“In a formal mentorship, I received feedback and coaching regarding how to present and formulate myself when raising issues with leading people. I gained tools and confidence to engage in challenging situations, which served me well in the different roles I have had since then,” says one anonymous Volvo Group employee.
Regardless of your background and desired career path, finding a good mentor will help you to move your career along and provide with the tools to navigate your working life. Do yourself a favor - find a mentor!