Having a mentor has benefited me in a tremendous way. At the beginning of this year I was halfway through my second year of university and it was a time where having a mentor was one of the wisest decisions I have made as I am already preparing myself for postgraduate study and at that time it was important that I had the right guidance early on. It has allowed me to plan ahead and work each month on the steps I need to get there with the direction of a professional.

One of the key things that I have learnt from my mentor is the importance of reflection and self-awareness. Since I am looking to enter the healthcare sector in the future, one of the key skills needed by professionals in this industry is to reflect on their practice/actions and being aware of their weakness as well as their strengths and being able to be aware of how they can improve or change their actions. Other things I have worked on is presenting PowerPoints on certain topics to my mentor and getting feedback.

I would most definitely encourage young women to have a mentor as this direct one to one guidance especially from a professional in the prospective field of work they want to have a career in may not be available in their schools or area. It also would be a good experience of being able to build a mentor-mentee relationship over a long period of time.