Mentorship is often considered one of the most impactful experiences in a professional’s career. For Alison Melson, vice president of corporate marketing at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and a board member for the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, mentorship has played a critical role in shaping her journey. With a career spanning more than three decades in public relations, marketing and health care, Melson has not only benefited from the wisdom of seasoned mentors, but also continues to pay it forward by guiding the next generation of women leaders.
Below, Melson shares her insights on the power of mentorship, the unique value of intergenerational relationships and how the WFA is creating opportunities for women across the state.
Can you share a specific experience where a mentor played a pivotal role in your career growth? How did this relationship shape your professional journey?
I was in my second professional job and my boss at the time, Jessica Szenher, was leaving to work at (marketing agency) Stone Ward. She asked me to go with her, saying that agency experience would help me in my long-term career. I went and was there for seven years, learning the ins and outs of public relations, marketing, branding and health care, all under Jessica’s guidance. It truly changed the direction of my career, and I made some of my best friends while there. I am forever grateful for my experience at Stone Ward, and for that guidance from Jessica. She continues to be a great mentor and friend to me today, more than 30 years later.
As a mentor yourself, what qualities do you think are essential for fostering a meaningful and effective mentorship relationship? How have you applied these qualities in your own experiences?
First, develop the relationship. Get to know the person and see if it is a good fit. And then, if it is going to be a formal mentor/mentee relationship, it is important to establish expectations up front. As a mentor, you don’t want to only hear from someone when they are on the job hunt. That is not a true mentor relationship. Also, for there to be honest feedback, trust must be established. Most often, a mentor won’t give you advice such as “do this” or “don’t do that.” Instead, they will listen, guide you and offer feedback. You can learn from their life experiences, but you must be willing to listen and have an open discussion.
Intergenerational mentorships can offer unique perspectives and opportunities. Can you discuss a time when you learned something valuable from a younger colleague or mentee?
I learn so much from my younger colleagues on a daily basis that it is difficult to narrow it down. However, I have a close friend, Thelma, who is about 25 years younger than me. Watching her take risks and be open to exploring all her options has been powerful. It’s re-emphasized to me that while having a plan is important, so is doing something outside of your comfort zone.
Regarding your role with WFA, how do mentorship relationships align with and support its mission to empower women and girls, and why is this so important in the context of Arkansas?
Arkansas is a small state, and finding mentors who have walked a similar path as you can make all the difference in the world. Not only do you get the benefit of the mentor relationship, but you also make connections with this incredible network of women who are all cheering you on. Need marketing, accounting or legal advice? Most likely your mentor or WFA can connect you to someone in all those fields. There is nothing more empowering than when you have a group of women — and men — cheering you on, wanting to see you succeed. That is the power of mentorship programs.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges women face in finding and maintaining mentorship relationships? How can organizations and networks help overcome these challenges?
As women, we often find ourselves with far too many commitments, so sometimes being over-committed to work, family, friends and our community can interfere with maintaining that mentor relationship. You don’t want it to be just “one more thing” on the to-do list. You have to prioritize the relationship, but also be flexible when life gets in the way.
I have been so fortunate in that most of my mentor relationships happened naturally, from working alongside other women or meeting them through professional settings. Now, with virtual work, I think it is probably more difficult, which makes the networking opportunity offered by WFA even more valuable. It is a way to formalize that networking opportunity, which can be life-changing. Just having that relationship with someone who understands the challenges you are facing can make all the difference in someone having the confidence to keep going.
