Blair Edwards, Department Head of Site Security, has been with the Lab for over six years and has fully embraced his role as a mentor in the Operations Mentorship Program, helping early-career staff in their personal and professional journeys. Learn more about what inspired him to begin mentoring and the valuable insights he has gained throughout the experience.
What motivated you to volunteer as a mentor in the program?
Mentoring is something that I’ve been blessed by both as a mentor in my previous positions and as a mentee with incredible mentors in my life. These mentors recognized my strengths and opportunities as an employee and as a future executive. They provided invaluable coaching, acted as sounding boards, and became trusted confidants to talk with about my career and opportunities. Receiving such great mentorship inspired me to want to give back and support others in their journeys. And beyond parenting, being a mentor is one of the best ways to give back. It’s incredibly rewarding to see mentees be successful and flourish in their careers.
I also approach mentoring from a different perspective. I want to know about the person: what their goals are, where they want to go, and how they want to get there, rather than what I want them to do. I strive to provide the opportunities, the coaching, the feedback, and the challenges to help them pursue their paths.
Sometimes you don’t even know what your potential is without someone encouraging you, and I believe there are many people who could benefit from that. I’m very pleased that Operations has really pushed forward with this, as developing future successful Lab and UC employees is something that every manager should be looking to do.
What is the most unexpected thing you have learned from the experience?
The most unexpected lesson was just how much joy I received from seeing the people I’ve mentored succeed. Knowing I had a part in their success and happiness gives me a profound sense of fulfillment.
However, mentoring is not just about work; I approach it holistically. I want to get to know the mentee as a person and help them understand how different pathways can impact their work-life balance. Personal challenges can significantly impact your job performance, and conversely, you don’t want your job to negatively impact your personal life. That’s why I always stress that you have to be healthy mentally and physically to be successful both personally and professionally.
Since my mentees are not my direct reports, I have the freedom to provide coaching without the usual constraints. In my experience, both of my mentees actively participated in the mentorship program and were exceptional. When I provided feedback, they took action, and they embraced the opportunity to learn from our relationship. I also found that I learned just as much from them as they did from me.
Overall, this is a great program, and I love that they expanded it this year to include operations staff in research areas, which is really important. The Lab needs mentorship to thrive. We need to identify quality mentors and create opportunities for those looking for mentoring to be mentored.
Why do you think it is important that the Lab supports this type of program?
In the end, it all comes down to a “pay it forward” mindset. By helping our early-career staff and teammates succeed in finding their desired career paths and providing them with opportunities to grow, we cultivate successful professionals. That’s the essence of what the mentorship program provides: an opportunity to mentor the future.
It also addresses some of the leadership challenges we face at the Lab. For example, certain areas offer opportunities for leadership growth, whereas others may not. This program enables individuals to identify and connect with valuable mentors who can guide them through challenges and help them achieve greater success.
Ultimately, mentoring matters, and providing a platform for those seeking guidance to connect with excellent mentors is one of the best initiatives we can implement. It’s an essential step for the operations side of the Lab.
At Berkeley Lab, we are dedicated to empowering our employees to reach their full potential by offering training, mentorship, and career development opportunities. We offer a range of resources—from competency skill-building and mentorship support to onboarding and leadership development—that enable you to acquire new skills and enhance your existing capabilities.
Explore the resources available to you and take advantage of the opportunities that will empower your professional journey.
