Companies should ensure that mentees have real, meaningful experiences, according to Daniel Horgan, founder and CEO, CoLabL.

WorkingNation sat down with Horgan at SHRM 2022 Annual Conference & Expo in New Orleans.

CoLabL works to “expand networks, develop talent and accelerate growth” – including access for diverse talent.

“I think mentorship is a part of the overall workforce ecosystem for a number of reasons,” says Horgan.

“It helps attract great talent. I can’t tell you how many emerging early career talent individuals come to us. And they say one of the top things they’re looking for is mentorship opportunities to expand and diversify their networks.”

He continues, “Once in an organization, mentorship is incredible for talent development for helping to assess where your career pathway can go, but also where your skills can be transferable to other areas of the organization. And lastly, it also helps with representation instead of just looking for talent outside of our organizations, the stronger relationship-centered workplaces that we have, the more likely people are to grow and to expand in their careers internally with upward mobility.”

Learn more about CoLabL.