Experiencing mentorship: Being a Mentee | National Mentoring Month

Alia our Marketing Assistant shares her experience being mentored with us as a heritage sector entrant considering a new career direction, as well as experience being on both sides of the mentoring relationship. 

How would you describe being mentored?

I would say the words ‘guidance’ and ‘influence’ are key as, depending on the context, it is about skills development as much as [inter] personal development. A mentor with strong communication and empathic skills who successfully tailors the mentorship process to individuals can be very influential in developing different types of confidence in a mentee. Confidence in applying their skills, in expressing their ideas, as well as confidence in not being perfect: being able to ask questions, acknowledge mistakes, and confront difficult situations head-on. 

What is it like in your role at Culture Syndicates?

Being mentored is part of my role here, and Elizabeth our Head of Workforce Inclusion is very holistic in her approach to this. Something I really appreciate is the awareness of staff wellbeing, and sustainability, which takes a long-term lens to career development. This is very different from my previous work experience and has required me to adapt to new ways of working. As we are a small team, it is a good way to maintain strong teamwork and regularly reflect on my individual progress as well.

What misconceptions did you have about being mentored?

As I progress in my career and education, I value new things about the process. The questions you ask and information you are looking for become more intentional and curious, and what you take from the responses is more valuable the more you experience being a mentee. You know more about the areas you need to develop in, and what you need to know to get there.

What other mentoring experience have you had?

I have experienced supervisor relationships in academia, and when working in the design industry for directors for example. The contexts of mentorship can vary greatly and not always be clear-cut, but being a mentee can be as much of an attitude towards working relationships as it is a formal set-up such as a mentoring programme or trainee-ship. You may have formal mentors as well as those you look back on as mentoring figures in your life as well because of ways they have put time in to pass on skills and experience.

Have you ever done any mentoring yourself?

I have previously provided mentorship to college-level international students in the field of art and design who needed guidance developing their portfolios, building design skills and critical thinking skills, deciding on education pathways, and English language support. It largely involved mediating different learning philosophies and communication styles, and the actual skills development was almost secondary. One of my favourite things to pass on through this level of mentorship is critical thinking skills and being able to question everything. 

From mentee to mentor

As is the dynamic of mentoring and passing on skills, as the stats in our blog on Sustainable Mentoring highlights, many who have been mentored go on to mentor others. I think the process is enriching for both sides and so it feels natural to be on the other side as well when you get the opportunity. As peer-to-peer mentoring exists and can also happen at school and university-level, it goes to show mentoring can involve various levels of expertise and experience. It’s just about having the intention to listen, guide, share, and advise with what you have to offer.  

What advice would you give to those new to being mentored?

Be open minded and ready to pick up new skills. Ask challenging questions. When you are considering new career directions or are at a crossroads, let your curiosity lead you if your passions are not clear or do not translate easily to workplaces you're familiar with. They are just different ways of taking you somewhere that might be a better fit for you.