Did you know you don’t need a formal mentorship program to get a mentor? Christine Münch, Business Development Manager—Interconnection and Peering for EMEA at Equinix, gave us a closer look at her mentorship journey and her relationship with her mentor, Sabine Schaar, Regional Vice President, Sales Germany, Field Sales.
Why find a mentorship?
The mentorship journey is an essential ingredient to success in any field. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who don’t know what mentorship is and how to find it. They think it only applies to athletes or people in positions of power. The truth is anyone can benefit from mentorship.
Realizing the benefits of mentorship, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and reached out to my mentor, Sabine, who has a vast experience in the industry and is passionate about helping women in tech.
Do you have any tips on finding the right mentor?
A mentor is someone who can offer valuable guidance, wisdom and support as you work to achieve your goals. Finding a mentor who is a good match for you is crucial, as a successful mentor relationship balances trust, respect and communication. You must be willing to be vulnerable and share your thoughts and feelings with your mentor.
How has having a mentor or sponsor enriched your own work experience?
With Sabine as my mentor, I’m often inspired by how she approaches different topics at work. This has helped to broaden my horizons inside and outside the company. What struck me was her communication skills and experience in the industry. She has her own ways of approaching matters. For instance, Sabine is passionate about helping other women in tech. However, she focuses on more than just networking with women, as it’s also essential to galvanize the men in the team to drive the agenda forward.
Any advice to mentees on how they can make the best out of a mentorship program?
Mentorship is not a one-time event—it is an ongoing journey that will require dedication and hard work. Be respectful of your mentor’s time and be sure to have a plan in mind when you approach your mentor. Be proactive and set time aside for yourself to reflect on questions like “Where do I want to go next?” “What do I want to achieve?” and “What is my goal?” Conduct a thorough self-analysis on “Where am I standing right now?” “What can I offer?” and “Which areas I could develop further?”.
Do you feel like your mentorship experience has been reflective of the overall culture at Equinix?
One of the Magic of Equinix values is “Keep Growing.” We believe that we can drive company growth through our personal growth. Equinix is a place that truly allows us to thrive both professionally and personally. There are plenty of development resources available from LinkedIn Learning. This learning resource covers key topics pertinent to the organization, including a mentorship resources page to help mentors and mentees have a successful mentorship journey. The resources are never lacking, and we’re always empowered to develop our own success.
To learn more about how you can become part of this inclusive and empowering culture, we invite you to explore opportunities to join the Equinix Sales and Customer Success team.