Why Advice Alone Won’t Get You Promoted in the Chemical Industry
Key Takeaways
- Mentorship is about guidance; sponsorship is about advocacy.
- Sponsors don’t just give advice – they actively open doors.
- Sponsorship accelerates career growth in the chemical industry, where leadership opportunities often come through internal networks.
- You earn sponsorship by excelling in your role, increasing your visibility and engaging with senior leaders.
- Maintaining a sponsor relationship requires delivering results, staying in touch and paying it forward.
Olivia followed all the right steps. As a chemical engineer at a major manufacturing plant, she had a mentor — a senior colleague who gave her great advice on career growth, technical skills and workplace challenges. She networked, took on projects and worked hard.
Yet, after years of effort, she was still in the same role, watching others get ahead.
Then she met Rahul, a senior executive who didn’t just advise — he advocated. He pushed her name forward for leadership opportunities, introduced her to decision-makers and got her a seat at the table. Within a year, she was leading a major process improvement initiative and up for a promotion.
What changed? Olivia found a sponsor, not just a mentor.
Mentorship vs. Sponsorship: What’s the Difference?
Many professionals assume mentorship is the golden ticket to career growth. While valuable, mentorship is only part of the equation – especially in technical industries like chemical engineering.
Mentorship: Guidance and Support
A mentor provides advice, feedback and knowledge to help you develop professionally. They may help with technical expertise, workplace strategies or networking tips, but their role is largely passive. Mentors help you grow professionally – but they don’t have direct influence over your career trajectory.
Sponsorship: Advocacy and Opportunity
A sponsor doesn’t just advise – they act. They use their influence and credibility to recommend you for high-profile projects, promotions and leadership roles. They speak your name in rooms where key decisions are made and help you get ahead – not just improve.
The biggest distinction?
- A mentor talks with you about your career.
- A sponsor talks about you to people who can elevate your career.
Why Sponsorship is Critical in the Chemical Sector
The chemical industry is technical, hierarchical and often insular. Moving up isn’t just about expertise – it’s about visibility and access. Sponsorship is a game-changer because:
- Leadership roles are often filled through internal networks, not just job postings.
- Sponsors help break down barriers for women and underrepresented groups in STEM.
- The right project exposure – facilitated by sponsors – can fast-track promotions.
Mentors prepare you for opportunities. Sponsors create them.
How to Earn – and Keep – a Sponsor
Unlike mentorship, sponsorship isn’t something you ask for – it’s something you earn by being seen as a high-potential professional worth advocating for. Here’s how to position yourself for sponsorship and keep the relationship strong.
1. Deliver excellence and stay visible.
2. Sponsors only advocate for those who consistently perform at a high level, therefore:
- Take initiative, solve problems and make an impact on key projects.
- Speak up in meetings and contribute ideas.
- Get involved in high-visibility work that attracts decision-makers.
3. Engage with senior leaders and industry influencers.
4. Sponsorship comes from leaders with influence therefore, you need to be in spaces where they see your value:
- Get involved in cross-functional teams and innovation projects with leadership oversight.
- Attend industry events and company-wide forums where executives are present.
5. Communicate your career goals clearly.
6. Sponsors can’t advocate for you if they don’t know what you want, therefore you need to:
- Be explicit about your aspirations — whether it’s leading a team or stepping into leadership.
- Discuss your career path in one-on-one meetings and performance reviews.
- By articulating what success looks like for you, you can make it easy for sponsors to connect you to the right opportunities.
7. Follow through on opportunities given to you.
8. Your sponsor’s reputation is on the line — your performance determines whether they continue advocating. Focus on:
- Delivering exceptional work on projects they support you for.
- Exceeding expectations to reinforce their trust.
9. Maintain the relationship and pay it forward.
10. Sponsorship is an ongoing relationship that should be nurtured, not just a one-time boost.
- Keep your sponsor updated on your progress.
- Show gratitude and find ways to add value to their initiatives.
- Advocate for others – building a culture of sponsorship in your organization.
By positioning yourself for sponsorship and maintaining the relationship with integrity, you’ll accelerate your career and open doors to bigger opportunities and leadership roles.
The Career Shortcut You’re Overlooking
Both mentorship and sponsorship play a role in career development, but if you’re feeling stuck, you may need more than good advice — you need an advocate.
While mentors help you develop, sponsors help you advance. If your career growth has stalled, ask yourself: Do I have a mentor, or do I have a sponsor?
If it’s the former, it may be time to change your strategy – and start building the right relationships to move forward.
Lauren Neal | Founder and Chief Program Creator, Valued at Work
Lauren Neal is the Founder of Valued at Work – a consultancy that creates workplace cultures where no one wants to leave, in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
Since 2005, Lauren has worked as an engineer and project manager in the energy sector offshore, onshore and onsite on multimillion-dollar projects across the globe. Chartered through both the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Association of Project Management (APM), Lauren is a sought-after speaker, writer, and consultant championing career progression within STEM and inclusive workplace cultures beyond the boundaries of demographics.
Lauren’s book released in October 2023 – 'Valued at Work: Shining a Light on Bias to Engage, Enable, and Retain Women in STEM' – became an Amazon #1 best-seller and is a finalist in the 2024 Business Book Awards.
Click here to reach out to Lauren.
