MOMENTUM - April 2024 - 13

STUDENT GENERATION
THE TRANSFORMATIVE
NATURE OF MENTORSHIP
WHEN OGHENEMARHO (MARHO) ANDREW EGBE CAME
ACROSS SAE INTERNATIONAL'S LINKEDIN PAGE, he figured:
what better place to start his post-collegiate journey?
Egbe quickly discovered a vibrant community and valuable
resources for the automotive engineering field. Intrigued by the
prospect of connecting with professionals and staying up to date
with the latest industry developments, he decided to explore SAE
further. That's when he discovered the SAE Mentor Program.
There are a plethora similar mentorship programs available
at the University of Windsor, where he pursued his master's
degree in engineering. So what led him to choose SAE?
" SAE's unique focus on the automotive engineering
industry, coupled with its extensive network, provided a
tailored mentoring experience that directly aligned with my
aspirations and academic pursuits, " Egbe said.
Cue Mark Donaldson, an industry professional ready to
give back. As founder and CEO of Quantuity Analytics, Inc.,
Donaldson feels he's reached the pinnacle of his career
trajectory and has the desire to help students in academia
pursue meaningful careers in the automobility sector.
" I signed up for the SAE Mentor Program to give back to
the automotive and automobility community of
professionals, students, and engineers, or anyone affiliated
with the mobility sector in general. These resources weren't
available to me during my early career, so it is a way for me
to give back to those that could benefit from my participation
and contribution as a mentor, " Donaldson said.
Together, this duo set clear goals to help Egbe gain the skills
needed to secure a job in the AI automobility sector for edge
AI computing. Egbe shared that their mentoring connection
was not only rewarding, but transformative.
" Our regular Friday meetings became a cornerstone of my
personal and professional development, " Egbe said. " Mark,
drawing from his rich journey and personal experiences, shared
invaluable insights that transcended the typical mentormentee
relationship. Our discussions delved into the rapidly
evolving technologies within the automotive industry,
particularly in areas like AI and machine learning. Mark's
insights into these topics not only broadened my
understanding but also sparked a curiosity that has driven me
to stay updated on industry trends.
" The main goal of our mentorship connection was to teach
me ways to strategically approach my job search and
professional journey. I not only gained a comprehensive
understanding of strategic planning but also applied these
principles to enhance my academic performance, streamline
my professional endeavors, and cultivate a proactive mindset. "
However, Egbe wasn't the only one to come out with new
skills or knowledge-Donaldson did some learning as well.
MOMENTUM

LEFT: Mentor
Mark Donaldson
RIGHT: Mentee
Oghenemarho
(Marho)
Andrew Egbe
" A significant learning moment for both myself and my
mentee was the current challenges of working in his desired field
in the automobility industry. I encouraged my mentee first to get
in the door and then look for opportunities afterward, "
Donaldson said. " I also encouraged my mentee to pursue the
hardest and most high-value challenges the automotive industry
is looking to solve. This would further guarantee a high rate of
success in landing a great job that pays well for a long-term
opportunity with a high barrier to competition. As the mentor in
the relationship, I learned about the academic opportunities and
areas of research currently being offered to students pursuing
graduate studies in the automobility industry, especially around
artificial intelligence and edge AI in-vehicle. "
Egbe believes that this mentoring relationship has catalyzed
both personal and professional growth.
" On a personal level, I've developed a heightened sense of selfawareness
and a deeper understanding of my strengths and areas
for improvement. Professionally, I've experienced growth in critical
areas such as project management, technological proficiency, and
adaptability, " Egbe said. " The mentorship has not only accelerated
my learning curve but has also fostered a mindset of continuous
improvement, setting the foundation for sustained growth
throughout my career in automotive engineering. " n
By Evan Vissat, Copywriter Specialist.
April 2024 13
PHOTOS SAE International
https://connexionplus.sae.org/mentoring/mentor-program
MOMENTUM - April 2024

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