The Unspoken Rule of Mentorship: Why Your Next Breakthrough Won't Happen on Zoom
We live our lives behind screens. We network through perfectly curated LinkedIn messages. We seek advice in scheduled 30-minute video calls. We’ve optimized our careers for efficiency, but in the process, we’ve starved them of something essential: genuine, unscripted, human connection.
We've forgotten the simple, powerful truth that your next big opportunity, your next life-changing piece of advice, your next creative partner—is not hiding in your inbox. They are in a room, waiting to be met.
This past January, we saw this truth unfold in the most incredible way. We co-hosted a flash mentorship event with Cornell Tech as part of the Queens Tech & Career Expo, an initiative championed by the visionary Queens Borough President, Donovan Richards. The setting was the iconic Museum of the Moving Image, and the energy was electric.
But this isn't a story about an event. It's a story about what happens when you create a space for people to show up, look each other in the eye, and ask a simple question: "How can I help?"
The Human Algorithm: Creating Serendipitous Collisions
The goal of the expo was clear: to provide opportunities for Queens residents from historically disadvantaged backgrounds in New York’s thriving tech industry. To do this, we brought together a powerhouse group of mentors from some of the world's most influential companies: American Express, Vogue, Goldman Sachs, Chase Bank, Parsons The New School, NYU, and more.
For a few hours, the museum wasn't just a building; it was a dynamic human algorithm. Instead of AI-powered matching, we had serendipitous collisions. Students, aspiring founders, and career-changers walked up to industry leaders and had real conversations. There was no pretense, no digital barrier—just shared curiosity.
This is what we, as a community, need more of. We have to get out of the house. We have to put ourselves in the path of inspiration.
Beyond a Conversation: The Lasting Connections Forged in a Single Day
A flash mentorship session can seem fleeting, but its impact can last a lifetime. We saw the proof right in front of our eyes.
From Mentor to Partner: The Story of Erika De La Cruz
The incredible Erika De La Cruz (@TheLaGirl), a powerhouse in media and branding, sat down with a young mentee, buzzing with ideas. Their 15-minute conversation sparked something powerful. It wasn't just advice; it was the beginning of a collaboration. They are now working together on a "Hispanic is Iconic" project launching this fall. This is what happens when shared vision meets opportunity—a mentorship session becomes a partnership.
The Full-Circle Mentor: The Story of Terence Biney
One of our proudest moments was seeing our former intern, Terence Biney, sitting at the mentor table. Terence, now a developer at Chewy, was once a mentee himself in the America Needs You program. On this day, he was the one giving back. He spent time with a young woman torn between two job offers, helping her navigate the decision with the kind of wisdom that can only come from lived experience.
Terence’s journey from mentee to mentor is the perfect embodiment of this work. It’s a beautiful, full-circle moment that proves mentorship is a renewable resource.
The Mentor's Secret: It's Not Just About Giving, It's About Receiving
The most overlooked aspect of mentorship is the profound impact it has on the mentor. In a world of transactional relationships, the act of giving guidance with no expectation of immediate return is deeply fulfilling. It feeds the soul.
When a seasoned executive from Goldman Sachs shares their hard-won knowledge with a bright-eyed student, they aren't just giving away advice. They are reconnecting with their own purpose. They are reminded of their own journey, their own struggles, and the people who helped them along the way. They leave feeling more energized and inspired than when they arrived.
Mentorship is not a one-way street of charity. It is a reciprocal exchange of energy, wisdom, and inspiration. To build a thriving community, we must create opportunities not just for people to ask for help, but for them to offer it.
The Takeaway: Your Next Step is IRL
The Queens Tech & Career Expo was a powerful reminder. While technology can connect us, true community is built in person. It’s built in the shared glance of understanding, the energy of a crowded room, and the spontaneous conversation that leads to an unexpected breakthrough.
So, here is your call to action. Look up from this screen. Find a local industry event, a workshop, a community gathering. Go there with one simple goal: to find one person and ask, "What are you working on? How can I help?"
Stop networking. Start connecting.
