Sheryl Walton
I’m a Senior Manager of Global Technology Operations at Autodesk and a hybrid employee based out of our San Francisco office. In my role, I lead teams passionate about connecting the employee experience (EX) to the overall customer experience (CX), guiding them through the support journey confidently and comfortably. While I love technology, my true passion is contributing to helping others grow personally and professionally.
Outside of my day-to-day job, I’m very involved in mentoring, volunteering, and other impactful engagements at Autodesk. I have been partnering with our People & Places, Autodesk Black Network, and Global Impact groups for more than 10 years, connecting to employees and external partners and helping create meaningful connections. My purpose, I believe, is to continue rallying around employee causes and commit to serving underserved youth and young students of society.
From mentee to mentor
I first became involved with volunteering in 2012 with TechWomen, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and a delegation trip where I was selected to go to South Africa. Being invited to participate in programs recognized globally opened my eyes to the possibilities of connecting through employee partnerships to make a difference in the world and workplace. The specific cause that resonated with me was being a part of something that would lift and support other women from many countries.
Because I have always mentored over the years within my communities, I was excited to find that I could also participate in mentoring at Autodesk and continue my journey. There were two mentors in my own life who were very influential: My grandmother taught me never to fear challenges or look the other way, ensuring I extended grace at every turn. And my most influential professional mentor was my Caucasian female director. She shared with me quickly that she knew my journey would be more difficult than her own, and she would do everything she could to set me up for success.
The relationship with my director propelled me to understand who I was — as a person and professionally — and that I had every right to think big and not fear my skin color. She prepared me to expect disappointments, stigmata, and non-believers in my abilities because she experienced the same as a woman. From her mentoring and guidance, I learned to stop looking over my shoulder, stop worrying about the person’s success next to me and stay focused on my journey until I landed where I was at peace.
A rewarding experience
There are many benefits to mentoring and volunteering – the biggest ones, for me, are the excitement and happiness I feel when giving back and giving of myself freely towards a greater cause. It also contributes to my personal and professional growth in that it’s a constant reminder that I can dream big and connect with people from all cultures and all ideas while keeping an open mind to it all. My growth mindset is driven by what I learn from others, which, in turn, will allow me continued development.
If you are serious and passionate about contributing to and changing the lives of others and yourself, becoming a mentor will bring great rewards. Don’t mentor because you want to make a name for yourself; do it because you want to make a difference.
To be an effective mentor, you should have great communication skills, be able to organize and plan well, be authentic, and share your stories and experiences to make connections with your mentees. They require leadership – not as a direct report, but as a partner. It requires you to ensure the mentee feels safe in the space if you want it to work. Autodesk is a great workplace, and the opportunities for growth, networking, and partnerships are endless. We are diverse, and it doesn’t matter where you reside; there is always someone in need – whether an employee or an impact partner – and the resources are available to make meaningful connections and impact others with purpose.
Want to work at a company where you’re encouraged to give back? Join us at Autodesk!