Mentorship can be a game-changer, and many successful people readily admit they wouldn’t be where they are without their mentors. More than just advice, mentorship provides insight, inspiration, and a roadmap for navigating academic, personal, and professional paths. At Queen’s University Belfast, mentorship opportunities are numerous and invaluable, offering students the chance to grow in unexpected ways.

The Benefits of Mentorship

Mentorship has numerous benefits, and below are the top ones according to me.

• Real-World Insights: Mentors provide valuable insights into the realities of the professional world. By sharing their own experiences, they can help you understand industry dynamics, which can be especially useful when navigating career options.
• Networking: Mentors are usually willing to make introductions that might otherwise be out of reach.
• Self-Discovery: Mentors ask questions that prompt you to think deeply, often helping you understand what you enjoy or what fits you best.
• Recognising Strengths: Mentors often see strengths that we overlook in ourselves. They help you see your skills and talents more clearly and push you to leverage them.
• Recognising Weaknesses: They could also point out trivial things you are missing and could suggest what could be done better for favourable results.
• Lightbulb Moments: Talking with mentors can spark “lightbulb” moments. A mentor’s question or insight can make you see new possibilities in your career or studies.

Find out more about the Widening Participation Student Mentoring Programme

My Mentorship Journey at Queen’s

At or through Queen’s, I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors, through which I had some key breakthroughs. Each of my mentorship experiences has offered something unique, from learning about different industries to receiving encouragement and feedback that helped me refine my career path. I’ve had a few key breakthroughs in these meetings that came simply from being open and willing to learn.

The mentors I met through events and programmes like AHSS student-alumni mentoring, First Derivatives, Careers Workshops, Women in Business, and Institute of Directors. I have found mentorship incredibly useful for self-discovery and real-world insights. 

Mentors often see strengths that we overlook in ourselves

Finding a Mentor

Finding a mentor doesn’t need to be formal or daunting. Queen’s offers resources like student memberships to professional bodies, and training workshops (accessed through https://qub-csm.symplicity.com/students/app/home), along with excellent staff and faculty that can help you connect with potential mentors. 

Often, informal mentorships can be equally impactful too; you don’t have to go through a full mentorship programme. You can just look at your network maps and if you admire someone’s work or expertise, simply ask if they would be open to mentoring. You’d be surprised how many people are happy to help if you show genuine interest. If someone is not in a position to offer the time commitment, request for one coffee meeting with a faculty, staff or external advisor based on where you need most help. 

For those whose goals go beyond academia, consider looking for volunteer, freelance, or internship opportunities. These experiences not only broaden your network but also introduce you to more professionals.

Finding a mentor doesn’t need to be formal or daunting

Preparing for Mentoring Sessions

I have had 9 mentors in the recent past and I still find it daunting to meet a new mentor. Preparation is essential to make the most of each mentoring session. Below are my top 3 preparation tips. 

1. Build Rapport: Use your first meeting to get to know your mentor. Rather than turning it into a Q&A, focus on building a genuine connection.
2. Set Goals and Stay Flexible: Be very clear why you are taking up this mentorship opportunity. Have mentorship goals but be open to tweaking them based on your mentor’s interests, background, willingness, and availability.
3. Follow Through: Work on the actionables before the next meeting. This is something that the mentors appreciate and improves efficiency of these sessions too!

Somebody once told me that one person always walks out a winner in any conversation. Take a few wins home, but also be happy and willing to give a few wins to your mentor. 

Building a Trusting Relationship

Important aspects of a successful mentor-mentee relationship are openness and trust. Go in with preparation and without prejudice. Be realistic with trust-building, it takes time, so have patience and allow the relationship to grow. Over time, you’ll feel more comfortable sharing your goals, and your mentor will likely open up more as well.

Go in with preparation and without prejudice

Remember to show appreciation for your mentor’s time and effort. Especially because they are doing this without expecting any monetary benefits. Expressing gratitude through sharing milestones and letting your mentor know their support has an impact. 

Trust is a two way street. So, abide by the trust that your mentor puts in you. When in doubt, reach out to them if it's alright with them for you to share a piece of information or photo. 

Full Circle: Returning as a Mentor

This year, I’m excited to return as both a mentor and a mentee for the AHSS student-alumni mentoring programme. Having benefited so much from mentorship, it’s rewarding to be in a position to offer the same support to ambitious students.

Final Thoughts

Mentorship is a powerful tool, and Queen’s offers ample opportunities for students to find mentors who can help them grow. Approach it with openness, respect, and a willingness to learn. Embrace these opportunities and seek mentors who inspire you, and enjoy the journey.

Find out more

AHSS Student Mentoring Programme

Widening Participation Mentoring Programme

Peer Mentor Training Programme

Reverse Mentoring at Queen's

Sai Sree Kurra MSc Management | Postgraduate Student | India Hello fellow students and passionate readers!! I'm an enthusiastic cinephile, cynophile and bibliophile. Watching and occasionally participating in sports gives me immense joy, with cricket being my favourite. I am extremely passionate and devoted to mental health awareness. Volunteering for significant causes makes my heart feel full. Coming to my professional background, I'm an ambitious student pursuing a Master's in Management. Former perfectionist, now striving to balance ambition and passion with compassion and self care. My professional interests include Leadership, Marketing, Strategy, and Business Consulting. As a lifelong learner, I constantly seek opportunities for learning and development and love to challenge myself.