At Genesys Works Bay Area, we know that meaningful mentorship can shape a young person’s confidence, career trajectory, and sense of belonging in the workplace. At Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), supervisor Will Dice exemplifies what it means to lead with intention and empathy. He shows us how creating an environment where interns feel safe to speak up allows them to grow not just technically, but emotionally, too.
For Ethan Chen, Class of 2025, interning at SOM was such a success because of the strong support system he felt every day, championed by his supervisor Will.
“Everyone was so supportive,” Ethan shared. “I learned that troubleshooting isn’t always about doing something complicated. Sometimes, it really is as simple as unplugging and plugging something back in, and other times it’s resolving a bigger system error.” Will made Ethan feel like he could ask questions about any issue – no matter how small.
Beyond technical growth, Ethan quickly learned that success comes faster when you’re surrounded by people who want to see you succeed. Under Will’s mentorship, asking for help, sharing ideas, and learning through trial and error felt encouraged, not intimidating.
One moment that stood out to Ethan was when he suggested improving SOM’s laptop loaner system. Will didn’t just listen – he helped get the idea funded and brought in additional support from the rest of the team. When Ethan offered ideas surrounding improvements in the office environment, he brought them to life. Will consistently showed Ethan that even small suggestions mattered. These moments reinforced to Ethan that his ideas were worth contributing.
Sweet Beyene, Class of 2026, is currently having a similarly positive experience. Her internship at SOM is giving her hands-on exposure to real IT work, from reimaging devices to troubleshooting technical issues and supporting daily office tasks.
“Working with Will has been great,” Sweet shared. “He’s really kind and makes sure I have enough work to stay busy without feeling overwhelmed, and he’s always willing to help when I’m unsure about something.”
Under Will’s guidance, Sweet is gaining practical technical skills like checking user logins, ensuring hardware compatibility, and fixing laptop issues. She is also building confidence in a professional IT environment with a support system she knows she can count on. She remarked that “having someone as supportive as Will has made work less stressful and a lot more enjoyable,” showing us that great leadership comes from mutual respect and understanding.
Both Ethan and Sweet experienced a team culture rooted in collaboration, trust, and growth.
For Will, mentoring Genesys Works interns remains deeply rewarding. Will has been a supervisor for a decade now, and each time sees it as an opportunity to prepare young people for the future – whether they pursue careers in tech or not.
“Learning these skills can help anyone in their future, no matter what career they pursue,” Will said. He also values the fresh perspectives interns bring to the team, noting how working with young people helps “reinvigorate” the workplace and reminds the team why they love what they do. He shared that interns help improve employee performance, free up capacity, and create opportunities for collaboration. More than anything, though, Will finds joy in seeing interns grow more confident and excited as they learn something new.
Will continues to welcome interns because of the consistent talent, meaningful relationships, and the chance to make a difference in a young person’s life. He is helping to create space for learning and skill growth, but also allows Young Professionals to see themselves as capable contributors in the professional world.
Will has shown us what it looks like when mentorship is done right.
