Latameka L., often known as Meka, has been concerned with the Microsoft Software program and Programs Academy (MSSA) since winter 2018 when she joined as a Cybersecurity candidate. At this time Meka is a Senior Cloud Resolution Architect supporting Federal companies in Copilot, Trade, Safety and Compliance. She has been with Microsoft for 6 years.
I graduated from MSSA within the spring of 2019 whereas retiring from america Military after 20 years and 24 days of service. My expertise with the MSSA program was really wonderful. On the time courses have been nonetheless held in individual, and I drove practically 100 miles every day for 4 months. It was value each mile.
Why I mentor
My inspiration to change into an MSSA mentor stemmed from the profound affect this system had alone transition from army to civilian life. The mentors I encountered throughout my time in MSSA have been instrumental in guiding me via a difficult interval. They have been insightful, supportive, and real. They visited our class, met with us outdoors of sophistication, and a few even stayed in contact after commencement. They illuminated a pathway that usually appeared infinite, and I admire every of them tremendously.
Their dedication and real help made an enduring impression on me. So as soon as I’d ‘made it’ and began my very own profession with Microsoft, I needed to supply the identical degree of help and steering to others who have been navigating related transitions.
Encouraging veterans to acknowledge their worth
From cohort to cohort, mentees begin off nervous and even a bit anxious. It is sensible—they’re embarking on a journey with plenty of unknown components, lots of that are out of their management.
Nevertheless it’s vital that veterans know the worth they create to the desk. It’s unbelievable to listen to the adaptability and problem-solving abilities that veterans develop throughout their service, that are invaluable within the civilian workforce. They need to be proud and assured of their talents.
My MSSA mentors inspired me to proceed being myself. So simple as that will sound, once you’re transitioning to a civilian profession for the primary time it may be tempting to assume, “perhaps I ought to be extra [fill in the blank].” No! I used to be reminded to be authentically me, to focus on my strengths, and to acknowledge my weaknesses whereas creating methods to succeed regardless of them.
My mentoring model—creating possession and authenticity
Understanding core applied sciences, like cloud computing, cybersecurity, software program growth and Copilot/AI—and the way they interconnect—is essential. However combining the technical experience mentees be taught in MSSA with skilled abilities is what equips veterans to navigate the complexities of the fashionable workforce.
I encourage my mentees to acknowledge their strengths and talk them with confidence. I stress the significance of abilities like communication, teamwork, and networking. These abilities are paramount for profession progress and might typically be the differentiating consider job interviews and office success.
Over the course of a cohort, I get to see my mentees’ progress each technically and professionally. They develop readability for what they actually wish to do and that they could have to regulate their technique, community extra, and even go to profession occasions to get outcomes. By the conclusion of their MSSA coaching, they’ve created a behavior of specializing in what they’ll management and the hassle they put forth.
How mentoring veterans has impacted me
Mentoring has had an immense affect on me each personally and professionally. On a private degree, it has given me a way of success and objective. Figuring out that I could make a distinction in somebody’s life is deeply gratifying.
Serving as a MSSA mentor, I’m awed by my mentees’ resilience and the unbelievable challenges they’ve overcome. It’s given me even better respect for the sacrifices made by fellow brothers and sisters who served, and for the power they possess.
Each mentee brings their very own expertise, perspective, and insights that push me past my life expertise, and encourage me to think about a brand new mind-set, and prolong grace to others much more.
Professionally, mentoring has enhanced my management and communication abilities. I’m at all times able to hear and be taught from others, which has helped me to proceed to develop. It has taught me the right way to extra successfully information and help others and to pivot when wanted. Basically, assembly individuals the place they’re.
The method will be barely totally different from how I’d sort out a dialog or activity whereas serving. However the idea is similar: Mission first, individuals at all times.
Whereas mentoring is about serving and helping others, I’ve gained a lot alongside the way in which. I be taught one thing new from every cohort as they share their experiences and views. I proceed to find out about new sources and instruments from my fellow mentors who serve alongside me.
These moments have deepened my sense of objective and sharpened my management abilities in ways in which instantly affect how I present up in my function day-after-day. Mentoring has jogged my memory that progress is a two-way road, and I’m grateful for each dialog, problem, and success I’ve shared with my mentees. My journey as a MSSA mentor has been a blessing and I cherish each a part of it.
