Review TechWomen program information regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).

TechWomenTechWomen

TechWomen is an Initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

  • Home
  • Program
    • Overview
    • 2019 Action Plans
    • Professional Development
    • Cultural Exchange
    • Delegation Trips
    • Impact
    • TechWomen Covid-19 Program Information
  • Participants
    • Eligibility and Application
    • The Experience
    • Award Details
    • 2022 Emerging Leader Profiles
  • Mentors
    • Why Mentor With TechWomen?
    • Professional Mentor Overview
    • Cultural Mentor Overview
    • Impact Coach Overview
    • TechWomen Mentor Application
  • Get Involved
    • Host an Emerging Leader
    • Host an Event
    • Other Ways to Get Involved
    • Host companies and partners
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Program Countries
    • Connect
  • FAQ
    • General
    • Participants
    • Mentors
  • Blog
  • Log In

My Experience as a Cultural Mentor

July 25, 2013 By TechWomen Leave a Comment

Salima Fassil with Group

Cultural Mentors are an extremely valuable piece of the TechWomen experience, offering support and acting as a guide for the Emerging Leaders. We asked Salima Fassil, a 2012 Cultural Mentor, to answer our questions about being involved in the TechWomen program; her words are below.

What inspired you to participate as a mentor in the TechWomen program?

When I learned about TechWomen, I felt I had to participate. The fact that I grew up in one of the countries where the Emerging Leaders were selected from, I knew immediately that the program would be high quality and that I would meet some of the smartest women from the area. I also thought that I could help out using my languages skills.

How did mentoring with TechWomen impact you? 

I met some lifelong friends and met a lot of local women in technology. I would like to share two highlights. The first was the luncheon at Benjamin Franklin State Dining room; it was such an honor to be in the room with so many smart and accomplished women and dignitaries. The second highlight is having my Emerging Leader accompany me to a 5k race in San Francisco. I was elated to be greeted by her smile, encouragement, and snack when I reached the finish line.

Were there any “aha” moments or new realizations as a result of being a TechWomen Mentor?

My “Aha” moment came during the first morning workshop after the emerging leaders came to the Bay Area, when I had goose bumps from being in the room with so many high caliber women. It was so inspiring.

Do you still keep in touch with your Emerging Leader?

I consider my Emerging Leader as a sister, and life long friend. We are still communicating via email and Skype to keep in touch with what’s going on in both our lives and professions. The last I heard was that she’s getting married. I am so happy for her.

What would you say to others who are considering being a TechWomen Cultural Mentor?

It’s very rewarding to get to know Emerging Leaders and other women mentors from other companies. The interactions are very informal, and one can pretty much do any type of activity with other mentors and Emerging Leaders. As a Cultural Mentor, I weaved activities with my Emerging Leader with activities with my family and friends, and it worked out great.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

When I signed up for the mentoring program, I thought that the Emerging Leaders were going to benefit from the program more so than mentors. After meeting them, I ended up learning a lot from them and from other mentors. My Emerging Leader showed me what real grace looks like. Despite all the challenges that she faces in her home country on a daily basis, she always has a smile, and carries on. I admire her strengths and composure.

  •  Apply to be a TechWomen Cultural Mentor

 

Salima Fassil

Salima Fassil is a Staff Engineer at Walmart Global eCommerce. She grew up in Morocco where she attended Ecole Mohammadia d’Ingenieurs in Rabat. She since moved to the US to pursue her education in Computer Science at University of llinois at Chicago. She is a passionate software engineer, always busy learning new things, and loves to mentor other women in the field of software development. When she’s not at work or bit twiddling, she runs, plays soccer and bikes with her son.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Filed Under: 2012 Program, Cultural Exchange Tagged With: Cultural Mentor, mentorship

Speak Your Mind Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 842 other subscribers

Recent Posts

  • TechWomen 2020-2021 fellows create impact through Professional Development Funds
  • #techwomen22 comes to a close: Pitch Day, Community Celebration and seed grant winners announced
  • Week four: pitch planning, inclusive leadership and giving back at Volunteer Day
  • Week three: the power of mentorship
  • #techwomen22 week two: mentorship, action planning and cultural exchange in the Bay Area

Categories

  • 2012 Program
  • 2013 Program
  • 2014 Program
  • 2015 Program
  • 2016 Program
  • 2017 Program
  • 2018 Program
  • 2019 Program
  • 2020 Program
  • 2022 (Fall) Program
  • 2022 program
  • Alumnae
  • Announcements
  • Application Tips
  • Central Asia
  • Conferences
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Delegation Trips
  • Emerging Leader Voices
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Girls Education
  • IIE
  • Impact
  • Lean In
  • Mentor Application
  • Mentoring Girls
  • Mentorship
  • Middle East and North Africa
  • Partnerships
  • Professional Development
  • Scholarship
  • Seed Grant
  • Solar Power
  • STEM
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • Washington, D.C.

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011

Tags

2013 program 2014 program 2015 program Africa Alumnae application careers central asia Community cultural exchange Cultural Mentor delegation trips Education Egypt emerging leaders emerging women leaders Empowerment Entrepreneurship grace hopper celebration guest post impact Jordan kazakhstan Leadership MENA Mentor Mentors mentorship Middle East Morocco nigeria Rwanda San Francisco Silicon Valley south africa State Department STEM technology TechWomen TechWomen Alumni Tunisia U.S. Department of State Women women in tech womenintech

Blogroll

  • DipNote
  • E-Mediat
  • Fulbright mtvU Fellows
  • Fulbright Student Program
  • Gilman Program
  • Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project Blog
  • IIE Opening Minds
  • Parallel Earth
  • TechGirls
  • Women’s Enterprise for Sustainability

CONTACT US | MEDIA | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Sitemap
Copyright © 2022 TechWomen | Site by MIGHTYminnow

   

Copyright © 2022 · TechWomen on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.