How my mentor helped me

“The thought of having my own mentor (known as a Bridge Builder) was one that I was excited about but at the same time very nervous about. I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to talk to them about the personal struggles that I was facing. This was a big deal for me because I felt like there might have been a disconnect because some of those struggles held me back.

But on meeting my mentor, who works at DHL, I found that she was very easy to speak to. She shared bits of her struggles at university and getting a job and that encouraged me that I am not the only person that is facing difficulties. My mentor showed a great interest in my success. She sent me links and information on different career paths connected with my degree. During the virtual interview practice, I was feeling very discouraged and I was planning not to do it. But my mentor called me and went through how to answer competency based questions. As a result I did really well. She was such a great motivation to me that I dedicated my interview session to her. It was because of her that I did it.

My mentor has also been an emotional support. In one of our sessions she made me write down goals, and ways that I can overcome things / how I can control my emotions. She invested her time in me and has helped me feel confident about my future. She introduced me to the idea that: “there’s no wrong in trying.”

Isatu Momoh, City Year London 2019-20