Growing Together –
The Montana Aerospace Mentorship Program
At Montana Aerospace, we believe that development grows through connection. In a global company with many cultures, languages, and areas of expertise, learning from one another is one of our most powerful strengths.
Our 6-month Mentorship Program, offered twice a year, brings together mentors and mentees from across sites, functions, and countries. Through structured monthly topics and one-to-one conversations, participants focus on self-awareness, communication, leadership, credibility, conflict management, and taking initiative.
How the program works
Before each cohort begins, HR opens the application process for both mentors and mentees.
Based on each individual application, HR then carefully matches participants according to:
development goals,
strengths and experience and
areas of learning.
Throughout the program, mentors and mentees meet once per month for focused one-to-one conversations. Both receive structured guides and tools to support each discussion.
Become Part of the Next Cohort
Whether you want to:
share your experience as a mentor
or grow your career as a mentee
the Montana Aerospace Mentorship Program offers a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and develop together.
look out for the next installment of the
montana Aerospace Mentorship program!
Get to know some of our previous participants
Mentor - Melinda Panicz
Training Center Manager, UAC Europe
How would you describe your journey from the first day of the mentorship program until now?
”My journey through the mentorship program has been one of steady growth and increasing confidence - both as a mentor and as a professional. At the beginning, my focus was on setting clear goals, understanding my mentee’s expectations, and building trust. I approached the role with preparation and structure, knowing that mentorship also requires flexibility and active listening.”Tell us about a situation where you had to adapt your mentoring style to support your mentee. What did that experience teach you?
”There was a situation where my mentee initially struggled with confidence and decision-making, despite having the technical knowledge required.
I adapted my style by shifting toward a more coaching-oriented approach—asking open-ended questions, encouraging self-reflection, and creating a safe space for uncertainty and learning from mistakes. Instead of offering immediate solutions, I focused on helping my mentee think through challenges independently.
This experience taught me that effective mentorship is not one-size-fits-all. Adapting my style to the mentee’s emotional and developmental needs was key to unlocking their potential. It also reminded me that empathy and adaptability are just as important as expertise in building a successful mentoring relationship.”
How would you describe your journey from the first day of the mentorship program until now?
”My journey from the first day of the mentorship program until now has been truly exciting.
I realized I had stepped into a community of people genuinely willing to guide me, challenge me, and share their experience in a way that felt both supportive and empowering. Having access to mentors who listened to my challenges and offered objective perspectives helped me see situations more clearly and make better decisions.One of the most eye-opening parts of the program was taking the PI test. It helped me put structure and language around things I had always felt about myself but never fully understood. I had many “aha” moments that helped me connect the dots and better understand my strengths, my tendencies, and how I can use them intentionally.
A major turning point in my journey was being matched with my mentor. I truly believe I couldn’t have been paired with anyone better. She challenged me, motivated me, and pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. I’m incredibly grateful for her guidance, and I don’t think our paths would have crossed so meaningfully outside this program.
Overall, this mentorship has opened doors for me—new perspectives, new opportunities, and a deeper understanding of myself. After the program I felt more confident, more self-aware, and more motivated to continue growing. ”
Can you tell us about a moment during the mentorship when you felt truly challenged? What happened, and how did you deal with it?
”One moment when I felt truly challenged during the mentorship program was actually toward the end, when my mentor asked me to step into the next edition of the program as a mentor myself. Throughout our sessions, she had pushed me in all the right ways—she took the time to understand how I think, what motivates me, and where I needed to grow. I enjoy being challenged, and she always knew exactly how to stretch me without overwhelming me.
But this final challenge was different. It wasn’t about solving a problem or reflecting on a situation—it was about stepping into a completely new role. When she told me she believed I was ready to mentor someone else, it felt both exciting and intimidating. It made me question whether I was prepared and whether I could offer others the same level of support she had given me.
I dealt with it by taking a step back and recognizing what her invitation really meant: she saw potential in me that I hadn’t fully acknowledged yet. That realization helped me shift from self-doubt to confidence. I accepted the challenge and said “yes,” because I genuinely want to help others grow the way I’ve grown through this program. ”
Mentee - Bianca Doros
Program Manager - DP, UAC Europe