15 Companies With Great Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Other Career Development Programs
How can organizations show that they care about the growth and professional fulfillment of their employees? Well, by offering mentorship, sponsorship, and other career development programs, organizations can help increase the motivation and happiness of existing employees, while also growing and attracting new employees, too.
Here, we explore 15 organizations who know the importance of supporting career development and are helping their teams achieve their professional dreams. Read on to learn more…
Alight Solutions
Alight Solutions — a leading cloud-based provider of integrated digital human capital and business solutions — believes that diversity should be visible, valued, and sustained throughout the organization, and they are committed to enabling an inclusive culture of belonging that engages all colleagues and grows the diversity of their talent to proudly represent the clients and communities that they serve.
As part of this belief, Alight offers a variety of programs that foster career development. For instance, their Colleague Careers improves the acquisition, development, and retention of diverse talent; their Colleague-Led Communities (CLCs) function as an employee support system providing education, personal growth, information, and idea sharing; and Alight’s Early Career Development program is committed to building a diverse group of future leaders within their organization via an accelerated training program designed to build both leadership and technical skills.
ASML
The people who work at ASML — the world’s leading supplier and manufacturer of complex lithography machines — include some of the most creative minds in physics, electrical engineering, mathematics, chemistry, mechatronics, optics, mechanical engineering, computer science, and software engineering. Together, ASML employees enable groundbreaking technology to solve some of society's toughest challenges by following the belief that technology can be a force for good in the world.
To support such innovation, ASML provides a lot of resources for those who want to advance in their careers. For example, ASML has a program where ASML leaders meet multiple times with employees and their managers to discuss what they want to do and how they will achieve that. ASML also offers personal coaching (and is actively building up a global coaching pool) and employee networks that provide not only a great way to socialize with colleagues but also an opportunity to grow your professional network. Together, ASML demonstrates daily their core values of challenge, collaborate, and care.
Avanade
Do you believe women are changing the tech game? Avanade — the world’s leading digital innovator working in the Microsoft ecosystem — believes this, and they work hard to create an environment where employees can do their best work and where diverse perspectives spur innovation and growth for their clients and people. Avanade is proud to be a pioneer in combining emerging technologies and human ingenuity to change things for the better and build diverse communities worldwide.
One part of this work is ensuring that Avanade is a place where women can learn, grow, and succeed through on-the-job experience, professional development, and mentoring. Avanade knows that bringing women into the field isn’t enough — they must have room to grow and advance. So, Avanade employees have boundless opportunities to pursue their personal and professional goals through interesting work with smart people who are passionate about using technology to make the world a better place. For instance, Avanade offers specialized programs to advance your skills, such as through their All-Female Data Engineering Academy.
Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands are a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. They believe that true strength is achieved when everyone has a voice, and it’s their mission to foster a culture where all of their talented employees feel empowered to bring their true selves to work every day.
In Constellation Brands’ journey to better reflect their diverse consumers and communities, they place focus on closing their biggest representation gaps to build a best-in-class, diverse workforce and to further develop an inclusive culture that creates equitable experiences for all through training, education, and awareness building. As an example of this dedication to fostering a winning and inclusive culture, Constellation Brands support and champion a diverse network of Business Resource Groups, each of which is supported by an executive-level sponsor, that help employees network and grow their skills.
Deloitte
Deloitte's range of services and depth of resources create the potential to make an impact through most any career. Right now, their professionals are working closely with organizations that enable social change, spark disruptive technologies, fund cures for diseases, implement sustainability solutions, prevent identity theft, foster inclusive cultures, enhance trust in the capital markets, and a lot more. And, for their talented professionals, Deloitte is committed to providing opportunities and the support to develop strengths, grow with purpose, and own their careers.
Deloitte’s culture is designed to help people advance their careers and add value from the day they walk in the door. At Deloitte, their people are their greatest asset, and they recognize the value of a diverse, talented, and skilled workforce. As part of this, Deloitte recognizes that there are multiple paths to a successful career, and as an individual without a four-year degree, they provide opportunities for growth and development via their culture of continuous learning based on the four Es: Education, Experience, Exposure and Environment.
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
GXO Logistics
GXO Logistics, Inc. is the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider and is benefiting from the rapid growth of e-commerce, automation, and outsourcing. GXO is also committed to providing a diverse, world-class workplace for their approximately 120,000 team members across more than 900 facilities totaling approximately 200 million square feet. The company partners with the world’s leading blue-chip companies to solve complex logistics challenges with technologically advanced supply chain and e-commerce solutions, at scale and with speed.
And, as GXO continues growing, they are collectively working to ensure that belonging is the hallmark of everything that they do. At GXO, they are here to help employees grow and succeed via a range of programs and networks to support connection, advancement, and engagement. For instance, their WE Belong Business Resource Groups (BRGs) support GXO’s commitment to inclusion and ensure — without exception — that every colleague feels a sense of Belonging. These BRGs also run programming, such as the #SheisGXO online seminar series, which provide benefits such as career development and a female mentoring program.
Henry Schein
Henry Schein is a Fortune 500 Company powered by a network of people and technology to be the world’s leading provider of health care products, services, and solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners. And, at Henry Schein, diversity and inclusion isn't just a catchphrase — it’s a core value.
Henry Schein acts on this value by educating their team about bias and equity, having public goals about diversifying their leadership, and providing mentorship and professional development opportunities. Further, many of their internal cultural initiatives are driven by their employee resource groups (ERGs), which have transformed the way employees engage both personally and professionally. For example, their Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) has not only found success via mentorship and professional development activities, it has also influenced projects like Paradigm for Parity (P4P), a globalized initiative to reach gender parity at senior leadership levels (Directors and Vice Presidents) by 2030.
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America
At Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA), employees are designing, developing, and testing the most exciting new technologies in the automotive world. As such, MBRDNA is a place for exceptional people with outstanding ideas and the absolute willingness to bring them to life. And the company will provide you with the tools and culture you need to grow and achieve your goals.
To help their talented team push technology boundaries and shape the future, wherever they are, MBRDNA ensures that they are cultivating an open and flexible environment. MBRDNA also offers a variety of options for growing and developing your skills, including a formal 90-day mentorship program for new hires, encouraging a culture full of informal mentorship, and a tuition assistance program.
Moody's
Moody's is a global integrated risk assessment firm that empowers organizations to make better decisions. Moody’s data, analytical solutions, and insights help decision-makers identify opportunities and manage the risks of doing business with others. They believe that greater transparency, more informed decisions, and fair access to information open the door to shared progress. With over 14,000 employees in more than 40 countries, Moody’s combines international presence with local expertise and over a century of experience in financial markets.
Moody's also provides numerous programs to develop and advance diverse leaders and ensure that the interests of their people around the world are represented through their employee-led Business Resource Groups (BRGs). In regards to women in the workforce, Moody’s offers women’s leadership development programs (including executive coaching for senior women), educational sessions, and access to senior managers and mentors. Moody’s Women’s BRGs also organize mentoring programs, career panels, and leadership spotlights for employees.
PNC Financial Services Group
For more than 170 years, PNC Financial Services Group has been committed to supporting its customers, communities, employees, and shareholders. As part of this, PNC has championed female entrepreneurs, working moms, and financial decision-makers for decades. Today, women make up almost 60% of their workforce and one-third of both their Board of Directors and senior leadership team.
As for how they support these women, and all employees throughout the organization, PNC encourages professional and personal development through its Women in Business Summit, Women in Business Week, and Women Connect Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG). EBRG members inspire each other to cultivate leadership skills, seize growth opportunities, and reach their full potential. A subgroup, TECH Connect, supports women in technology careers and has aligned with the National Center for Women & Information Technology. Further, PNC's Education Benefit, through its partnership with Guild, provides access to tuition-free education, ranging from professional certificates to bachelor's degrees, plus reimbursement for a broader selection of programs.
RTX
RTX is the world’s largest aerospace and defense company. Their global team of 180,000 employees pushes the limits of known science and redefines how they connect and protect our world. RTX is advancing aviation, building smarter defense systems, and creating innovations to take us deeper into space.
RTX is a company that builds careers. Whether it's through their respected professional development programs or mentorship from colleagues across disciplines and in different stages of professional life, RTX develops empowered employees and future leaders. One example of this in action is through their ERGs, which are instrumental in assisting with the design of mentoring programs, retention initiatives, philanthropic outreach, and important policy and guideline recommendations. The ERGs offer career development programs, networking opportunities, mentoring programs, opportunities to get involved in their communities, and are critical in providing a voice to the company on a variety of topics. RTX is also committed to Paradigm for Parity, which is a coalition of business leaders dedicated to addressing the corporate leadership gender gap. The pledge signifies a commitment to position women and men to have equal opportunity, with an ultimate goal is to achieve full gender parity by 2030 and a near-term goal of women holding at least 30% of senior roles.
Santander US
Santander — a global financial institution that serves more than 150 million customers worldwide — is committed to the development, empowerment, and growth of women and their allies within the communities where they live, work, and serve.
The company’s commitment to career growth and development is supported by leaders at every level through Santander’s S.A.M. model (Sponsorship, Advocacy, and Mentorship). A few of the many programs Santander has cultivated as part of this model include: The SPARK (Sponsorship, Prosperity, Advancement, Retention, Knowledge), which is a nine-month program that seeks to differentially invest in emerging women and diverse top talent and grow Santander’s future leaders through sponsorship; the Aspire Program, which is an inclusive six-month opportunity available to all employees to help them nurture connections and find development opportunities; and a mentorship program, which is aligned to Santander’s commitment to supporting a culture that empowers all employees to learn, grow, and take accountability for their own professional development. Through Emerge, Santander also provides high-potential individual contributors with the opportunity to develop the foundational skills necessary for future leadership roles as part of a six-month program.
Qualcomm Incorporated
Qualcomm inventions are the foundational technologies that others build upon — inventing new industries and applications that have global impact. From 5G to artificial intelligence, from IoT to automotive and extended reality applications, Qualcomm is inventing the technologies the world loves. This is the Invention Age, and Qualcomm thinks you’ll love being a part of it — and love being a part of their culture.
Qualcomm knows that the strength of their employee culture comes from inclusion and diversity, which are at the very heart of innovation and their ability to deliver breakthrough inventions to the world. As such, Qualcomm offers robust programs and benefits that are uniquely supportive of women, including flexible time off, family leave, mother’s rooms, Women’s Leadership Programs, career development programs, and more. Qualcomm is also contributing to a diverse and inclusive workforce of the future by increasing access to STEM education and collaborating with community stakeholders on sustainable STEM programs.
Zimmer Biomet
Zimmer Biomet is a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive portfolio designed to maximize mobility and improve health. When you join Zimmer Biomet, you join a team committed to improving people’s lives. Zimmer Biomet values diversity and practices equity and inclusion, leveraging diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas to transform the patient experience. They believe in The Power of Us, a phrase the company uses to represent the idea that each Zimmer Biomet team member has an impact and, collectively, their team powers their mission to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for people around the world.
In addition to their formal global mentoring program — designed to connect experienced professionals within the organization with team members who are eager to learn from others' experiences to advance their development — Zimmer Biomet fosters informal mentorship, sponsorship and growth opportunities through its employee resource groups, global leadership development programs – including Women in Leadership — and learning and development programs. Zimmer Biomet’s commitment to team members feeling valued, invested and cared for transcends to community as well. The Zimmer Biomet Foundation has been a strong supporter of The Perry Initiative and its mission to build the career pipeline for women in orthopedic engineering and surgery. Since 2009, over 17,000 women across the United States have participated in Perry Initiative programs at no cost to participants in any programs, thanks to its partnership with the Zimmer Biomet Foundation.
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