GoKawiilIEEE Spectrum Careers Newsletter Advocates Informal Mentorship Over Formal Asks
A recent IEEE Spectrum careers newsletter, produced with Parsity, argues that engineers can gain mentorship benefits without ever formally asking someone to be a mentor. The author describes learning by observing and copying admired colleagues' habits, and by asking small, targeted questions about how others solve problems or approach their work.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Many early-career engineers avoid seeking guidance because formal mentorship requests feel awkward or presumptuous. This framing offers a lower-friction path to professional growth, suggesting that consistent observation and curiosity can substitute for a structured mentor relationship.
- Formal mentorship requests can feel socially awkward and are often unnecessary.
- Observing and imitating skilled colleagues' habits is a valid learning strategy.
- Asking small, specific questions can yield mentorship-like insights over time.
The Staff Engineer's Path by Tanya Reilly — If informal mentorship means learning from engineers you respect, this book is like having a seasoned tech lead on your shelf. Tanya Reilly walks through the judgment, influence, and career navigation skills that usually only come from watching someone great up close "exactly the kind of wisdom the article says you can absorb without ever formally asking for a mentor.
See The Staff Engineer's Path by Tanya Reilly on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: spectrum.ieee.org — Brian Jenney, 2026-09-02
Published there as: “Applying Different Forms of Mentorship”
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