# 336: Common Sense Is Not Common Sense

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2020-07-02
- Length: 1h 12m
- Episode: 336
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-07-02-336-common-sense-is-not-common-sense
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/336-common-sense-is-not-common-sense

## Summary

Falana Benton, an Engineer in Residence at Facebook and co-founder of DivTechSpace, discusses the nuances of mentoring, distinguishing between mentoring, coaching, and sponsorship. She explains how her platform DivTechSpace supports BIPOC students through anonymous resume reviews and mock interviews to bridge access gaps in tech careers. Benton shares practical advice for mentors on setting expectations, avoiding the 'savior' mindset, and providing honest, constructive feedback without overwhelming mentees.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-07-02-336-common-sense-is-not-common-sense#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [6:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-07-02-336-common-sense-is-not-common-sense#t=372) Defining Mentoring, Coaching, and Sponsorship
- [20:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-07-02-336-common-sense-is-not-common-sense#t=1242) DivTechSpace: Mission and Volunteer Structure
- [25:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-07-02-336-common-sense-is-not-common-sense#t=1539) Conducting Effective Mock Interviews and Resume Reviews
- [44:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-07-02-336-common-sense-is-not-common-sense#t=2682) Avoiding the Savior Mindset and Bias
- [50:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-07-02-336-common-sense-is-not-common-sense#t=3059) Handling Mental Health and Tough Conversations
- [1:00:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-07-02-336-common-sense-is-not-common-sense#t=3645) Peer Mentoring and Final Advice

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Facebook (company)
- DivTechSpace (product)
- Microsoft (company)
- LinkedIn (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Fitbit (company)
- EY (company)
- Deloitte (company)
- SparkFun (company)
- Camille Fournier (other)
- Michelle Obama (other)

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- [S7E9 Brad & Aaron | Top 5 Takeaways After Interviewing Over 300 Engineers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-02-27-s7e9-brad-aaron-top-5-takeaways-after-interviewing-over-300-engineers) (Being an Engineer)
- [Trolltron, Assemble!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-03-22-trolltron-assemble) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Zach White | How to be the CEO of Your Own Career](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-07-01-zach-white-how-to-be-the-ceo-of-your-own-career) (Being an Engineer)
- [182 - 7 Powerful Ways to Find Amazing Mentors in Medical Devices and Pharma](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-04-02-182-7-powerful-ways-to-find-amazing-mentors-in-medical-devices-and-pharma) (Let's Combinate)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-07-02-336-common-sense-is-not-common-sense. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.