Cate Silva

Being part of ADPList allows me to grow my network while giving back to the design community. I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds and understanding their personalities, challenges, and goals. Every mentee is different, and helping each person find the right path for them is what makes mentoring meaningful to me.

I first started mentoring when I was invited to support students at the University of Michigan. Through that experience, I saw how many talented designers struggle not with skill, but with translating their work into a clear story that resonates with hiring teams. After years working as a product designer, mentoring became a way for me to share the frameworks, mindset, and practical insights that helped me grow in my own career.

Getting a new job is a job in itself, so positioning your work clearly is essential. Your work is only as strong as how you communicate it—focus on explaining the decisions behind your design, not just the visuals.