Close your eyes and transport yourself to a time when you were impacted by a mentor. Who comes to mind? A second-grade teacher who never stopped encouraging you? A coach who pushed you to be better? A manager who believed in you and gave you room to grow?  Wherever the road takes you and whoever it leads you to, one thing is certain — we’ve all had someone who inspired us to take the next step.

With a people first culture, Panasonic’s internship program is enriched with avenues for interns to thrive. Interns aren’t just given projects; they’re surrounded by support, guidance and opportunities to excel. Let’s take a closer look at the impact of mentorship and how Panasonic is shaping the next generation of leaders.

Vikki believes mentorship is about creating a dynamic environment where interns can actively contribute, think critically and grow with confidence.

“I believe that effective mentorship involves encouraging participation in day-to-day tasks, fostering an environment that welcomes new ideas and providing a platform to identify and address emerging challenges,” she shares.

One of Vikki’s top priorities as a mentor is helping interns develop strong communication and problem-solving skills — foundational elements for success in any professional setting. “I help my team with real-world application skills by encouraging cross-functional collaboration and involving them in real-time problem-solving,” Vikki explains. “This often includes identifying bottlenecks in internal processes and asking their input on what they would do differently, which sharpens their analytical thinking.”

Vikki’s mentorship journey with her intern Tyler is a clear reflection of that approach. When he joined nine months ago, Tyler was beginning to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world engineering. “Within the first few months, he quickly equipped himself with knowledge on our products and started supporting customers with inquiries and warranties,” shares Vikki. Today, Tyler leads training sessions and collaborates with the marketing team to improve user documentation.

Vikki’s own career began with an internship at Panasonic, which is why she sees mentorship as a full-circle opportunity. “Being an intern with the right mentor gets you hands-on guidance, quicker up-skilling and insight into how their work connects to the company’s broader mission,” she says.

Beyond helping interns grow, mentorship has ripple effects that benefit everyone involved. “Working with interns also reinforces my own learning,” Vikki reflects, “often revealing any gaps or assumptions I may not have noticed otherwise.” From improving engagement and retention to fostering a culture of curiosity and connection, Vikki believes “mentorship creates a positive feedback loop. Everyone grows, individually and collectively, and that shared growth becomes a powerful driver of long-term success.”

Tyler is currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Michigan. He reflects on his time at Panasonic, particularly the invaluable mentorship from Vikki, which has played a significant role in both his professional and personal development.

"Vikki has helped me tremendously both professionally and personally," Tyler says. "She showed me how to manage tasks and communicate with team members in an organized and efficient manner. Whenever I was confused or stuck, she pointed me in the right direction and was a pillar of support." Through this mentorship, Tyler learned to overcome his fears of embarrassment due to lack of knowledge or experience, which ultimately contributed to his success during the internship.

Tyler recounts a pivotal moment from his sophomore year in college when he struggled in one of his courses. "It was discouraging because no matter what I did, I couldn’t understand the material," he explains. "I lost motivation and blamed everyone but myself to avoid responsibility." However, during office hours, a teaching assistant shared an insightful piece of advice: "You can't let school get in the way of your education." This advice resonated deeply with Tyler, and he soon realized that education is a personal pursuit, one that extends beyond formal schooling. "School doesn't guarantee education -- it’s up to the individual to determine their future," he reflects.

Having a mentor like Vikki shifted Tyler's perspective on success and personal growth. Initially, he admired his mentor’s accomplishments from afar, feeling a sense of awe. "I viewed Vikki as incredibly intelligent and put together," he shares. "I was struck by her success, her interactions with others and how she led teams." Over time, Tyler began to understand the unseen effort behind those achievements. "The sleepless nights, countless hours and persistence through failure were not visible to anyone," he notes. "It’s those behind-the-scenes moments that define who you are, not just the successes others see."

Through his experience at Panasonic, Tyler learned that consistency and hard work build success over time. "It requires building a foundation and steadily working toward your goals," he says. "Success doesn't come overnight; it's the quiet dedication that defines true achievement."

Tyler's internship also taught him to take risks and embrace uncertainty. "There were times when I was so afraid of failure that I wouldn’t even try," he admits. "This held me back from growth and learning." However, with Vikki's guidance, Tyler came to understand that the process of learning is more valuable than simply memorizing information. "Being a learner is more important than just storing information," he reflects. "Panasonic allowed me to become a better thinker, learner and communicator, which has translated into my academic and personal life."

“A company is only as strong as the individuals who make it up.” This reflection from Jason embodies Panasonic’s people-first culture — one that values mentorship as an investment in the future.

Jason emphasizes how interns bring fresh ideas, curiosity and untapped potential. Through mentorship, they gain the confidence, skills and experience to transform that potential into real impact.

For mentors like Jason, the experience is just as rewarding. “My role is to empower our interns to be their best selves and help them unlock their full potential,” he shares. That means creating opportunities for growth — giving interns impactful projects, ensuring they have a voice and fostering a space where they can take ownership of their work.

“Our interns are brilliant and bring so much to the table,” Jason explains. “It’s essential to provide the right level of support while also offering constructive feedback that helps them grow.”

One of Jason’s proudest moments as a mentor has been witnessing his intern Britney’s transformation. Through regular check-ins and feedback sessions, he has seen her confidence and presentation skills flourish. “With each presentation, she has become more confident and effective, which has been amazing to witness,” he reflects.

Mentorship at Panasonic embodies a culture of learning, trust and collaboration. As Jason puts it, “I believe mentorship fosters a culture of selflessness and a commitment to excellence — values that align closely with Panasonic’s Basic Business Philosophy.”

Britney is currently a junior studying finance at Baruch College. During her internship at Panasonic, she’s gained lessons that will extend far beyond the workplace. “I've learned the importance of being proactive, expressing what I want to learn and where I'd like to contribute,” Britney said. “Jason really empowers me to take ownership of my work. This is something I'll carry with me as I move forward with my career,” she shares.

More than just assigning projects, Jason’s mentorship is rooted in intention and empowerment. He introduced new tools, encourages deeper thinking and always creates space for learning and curiosity for Britney. “I appreciate how intentional he is about fostering learning opportunities … he genuinely wants to see me succeed and motivates me to try my best,” exclaims Britney.

One early challenge proved to be a pivotal moment in Britney’s experience. Tasked with a project involving technical skills she hadn’t yet mastered, she initially felt overwhelmed. “Jason took the time to break down the project with me. He didn't give me all the answers, but he asked questions that guided me to think critically and find my own approach,” says Britney. That experience helped build her confidence and reshape how she tackles unfamiliar challenges.

“To me, a mentor is someone who would challenge, support and help me see potential in myself that I may not recognize just yet. Jason has been nothing short of that.”

At the heart of mentorship lies the power to unlock what’s always been within us. Share this with someone who’s helped you discover your true potential. Visit our careers site to explore current job openings, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to keep up with Life at Panasonic.

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