Mentorship and Career Mobility: How Publicis Sapient Fosters Growth Across Regions

At Publicis Sapient, growth is not just a possibility—it’s a promise. Our commitment to mentorship and career mobility empowers employees to shape their own journeys, whether they’re just starting out or seeking new challenges across regions and disciplines. By fostering a culture of inclusion, cross-functional learning, and support through business resource groups, we enable diverse, non-linear career paths that reflect the dynamic world we serve. Here’s how our approach comes to life in North America, Europe, and India—and why it matters for anyone looking to build a meaningful, global career.

A Culture of Mentorship: Support at Every Step

Mentorship is woven into the fabric of Publicis Sapient. Across all our offices, employees are encouraged to be themselves, ask questions, and learn by doing. Regular check-ins with managers, open access to senior leaders, and structured mentoring programs ensure that every voice is heard and every ambition is nurtured. This accessibility breaks down traditional hierarchies, making it possible for early-career professionals to connect directly with executives, including the CEO.

Business resource groups such as Viva Women and RISE provide additional avenues for support, advocacy, and leadership development. These networks help employees find community, share experiences, and make an impact beyond their day-to-day roles. For example, involvement in Viva Women has enabled early-career professionals to take on leadership roles within the group, amplifying their influence and accelerating their growth.

Cross-Functional Learning: Building Skills for the Future

Career development at Publicis Sapient is deeply cross-functional. Employees are exposed to a wide range of disciplines—strategy, product, engineering, data, and experience—often within their first year. This breadth of exposure helps individuals discover their strengths and interests, and it’s not uncommon for someone to pivot into a new discipline with the support of mentors and the early careers team. As one consultant described, “I’m not only learning how to do strategy, but I’m learning what that looks like from a product lens, from a data lens, from an engineering lens as we collaborate together cross-functionally. It’s so much more than just a strategy job.”

Regional Perspectives: Unique Opportunities and Challenges

North America: Entrepreneurial Spirit and Inclusive Growth

In North America, employees are encouraged to be entrepreneurs within the organization. The work is fast-paced and impactful, with opportunities to engage directly with top-tier clients and senior stakeholders. The region is known for its focus on inclusion and gender equity, with programs like women’s mentoring and internship initiatives for first-generation college students and those from diverse backgrounds. Psychological safety and advocacy are emphasized, ensuring that everyone has the confidence to take on new challenges and the support to grow. As one leader noted, “Being in a company and in a culture that really enables you to be your true self…that’s how you really thrive. And that’s how you really grow.”

Europe: Flexibility, Mobility, and Global Experiences

European offices offer a blend of structure and flexibility. Career mobility is a hallmark—employees can move between disciplines or even work abroad through programs like "Working Your World." One associate product manager shared her experience working remotely from Costa Rica, balancing meaningful client work with personal exploration. The advice? “Set expectations with your project before you leave, and embrace the opportunity to see the world while still contributing to your team.”

The European experience is also marked by a strong sense of community and work-life balance. Leaders are conscientious about boundaries, encouraging talent to grow without sacrificing personal well-being. This flexibility supports non-linear career paths and empowers employees to pursue opportunities that align with both their professional and personal goals.

India: Scale, Sophistication, and Innovation

India is home to the majority of Publicis Sapient’s engineering talent, and the scale and sophistication of the team are unmatched. Here, employees are immersed in projects that operate at a scale rarely seen elsewhere—think payment platforms handling hundreds of millions of transactions daily. The local ecosystem is vibrant, with exposure to cutting-edge trends in digital payments, e-commerce logistics, and ed-tech.

What sets India apart is not just the size of the talent pool, but the complexity of the problems being solved. Early-career engineers are in the room from the very beginning, influencing strategy and collaborating directly with global teams. The culture values learning from both successes and failures, and the pace of innovation is relentless. As one leader put it, “India is not the place to find cheap talent. It’s the place to find the best talent.”

Business Resource Groups: Viva Women and RISE

Business resource groups play a pivotal role in fostering mentorship and career mobility. Viva Women, for example, creates a supportive environment for women to connect, share experiences, and access leadership opportunities. RISE focuses on mentoring senior women and extending support throughout the ranks, ensuring that mentorship is available at every stage of the career journey. These groups advocate for gender equity, psychological safety, and the removal of unconscious bias, helping to level the playing field and create a more inclusive workplace.

Non-Linear Career Paths: Embracing Change and Opportunity

At Publicis Sapient, career journeys are rarely linear. Employees are encouraged to take risks, embrace change, and pursue opportunities that may not follow a traditional path. Whether it’s moving from finance to product, engineering to strategy, or taking on a global assignment, the organization supports lateral moves and career pivots. This flexibility is underpinned by a culture that values curiosity, continuous learning, and the courage to step into the unknown.

Advice from Across the Globe

Shaped by Local Context, United by Purpose

While the journey at Publicis Sapient is shaped by local context—whether it’s the entrepreneurial energy of North America, the flexibility and mobility of Europe, or the scale and innovation of India—what unites all regions is a commitment to learning, inclusion, and impact. Employees are not just building their own futures; they are helping to shape the future of our clients and the industries we serve.

If you’re ready to grow in a place where you can be yourself, learn from the best, and make a real impact—wherever you are in the world—Publicis Sapient is ready to welcome you.