Culinology - December 2020 - 38

INDUSTRYNEWS

'The door is essentially already open'
A look at a mentor/mentee relationship
The mentor/mentee relationship can be a powerful asset in one's career,
opening doors to new opportunities. To get a closer look at such a
relationship, we spoke with two members who met through the RCA
Professional Advisory Program: Gerrie Bouchard, RCA Board member and
director of marketing, business development and SCI at Tastepoint by IFF, and
Morganne Schmidt, R&D scientist at Chobani.

A mentor/mentee relationship is a two-way street. What have you
learned from each other?

Gerrie Bouchard

Gerrie Bouchard: I appreciate Morganne's willingness to expand her
network even when an opportunity was not a perfect match. She is openminded and gracious, which speaks to her outstanding character. She has
inspired me to be more nurturing in my professional relationships and to never
forget those in my corner.
Morganne Schmidt: In having five different mentors in my group, I was able
to meet them, their contacts and beyond. I quickly built my network and loved
meeting people from a variety of backgrounds. Gerrie taught me the importance
of staying in touch and not losing your spirit, even during times of hardship.

What is the value of a mentor/mentee relationship?

Morganne Schmidt

GB: In our competitive industry, it is important to have connections,
whether they result in new opportunities or not. As Morganne noted, she had
multiple mentors championing her, a result of her effort in the program. I was
matched with other candidates who never reached out, which was a missed
opportunity. When I was a young professional, I didn't know how to connect
to a mentor and did all the legwork on my own. This program does the hard
work for you. The door is essentially already open!
MS: I have valued this relationship more than I thought possible. My RCA
mentors have seen me through graduation, job searches and interviews.
They gave opinions on companies, reached out to their network and, most
importantly, provided a support system. If it weren't for these mentors guiding
me in the right direction, I would not be where I am today. The RCA has such
influential people who love food and want to make a difference. There is no
better organization for food professionals to get involved with.
To learn more about RCA's Professional Advisory Program,
visit www.culinology.org/professional-advisory-program.

" I mentor because it is my intention to provide access, equality and

equity to someone who may seek guidance, motivation or emotional
support. While it adds value to someone else's life, it also helps me
as I navigate career choices and future paths, including strategy and
goal setting, developing contacts and identifying resources to better
one's self personally and professionally. "

Chef Wiley Bates III, account manager, IFF, and RCA member,
discussing the value of mentorship
38 |

Culinology | DECEMBER 2020

http://www.culinology.org/professional-advisory-program

Culinology - December 2020

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