Alumni Voices: 'It's a fulfilling journey. You can make a positive impact on someone's path'

Why did you choose to become a mentor?

I chose to volunteer because I’ve always been driven by a desire to empower others. Through mentoring, I’ve discovered that supporting others’ growth also nurtures our own.

My qualities of compassion and self-reflection define who I am, and naturally lead me to support others in their development. Volunteering without personal or financial interests allows us to help others thrive in an environment free of prejudice. This enriches both parties involved.

It also contributes to our King’s community, which envisions a better world for all.

How do you help your mentees?

My strategy is built on two key influences: Socrates and Ikigai. I use the Socratic method to guide my mentees in discovering their own answers, ensuring I do not influence their decision-making.

Alongside this, I apply Japanese Ikigai principles to help them identify their passions and strengths, and how these can meet market needs and generate income.

This approach highlights gaps and builds self-confidence essential for leadership roles, intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial success, and working in boss-less organisations.

Do you have a favourite success story related to a mentee?

One of my mentees developed a business idea and is now building their team while in the process of joining start-up incubators and accelerators. I also had the opportunity to mentor a start-up team of co-founders who successfully advanced through an entrepreneurship competition.

My other mentees have progressed within their companies, taking on roles of greater responsibility. I find success in every mentee who discovers their purpose. Witnessing their growth and accomplishments is always enriching.

What do you get out of it?

The opportunity to positively impact someone’s growth – an endeavour that aligns with the pursuit of happiness – is deeply rewarding.

Our King’s Leadership Mentoring Programme is a multicultural and global platform that allows you to give back to your community by sharing knowledge, skills, reflections and perspectives. Mentoring is not only a learning journey. It’s also a path toward self-actualisation where you can express your true self. That is the pinnacle of US psychologist Abraham Maslow’s pyramid which describes the journey to true self-fulfilment.

Would you encourage other people to become mentors?

I would. It’s a fulfilling journey where you can discover and share your strengths while making a positive impact on someone’s path. Mentoring offers a unique opportunity to connect with individuals you’ve never met, providing fresh perspectives beyond your usual network. Ensuring a good match between mentees and mentors, which our King’s Alumni & Stakeholder Engagement Team excels at, enhances this experience. King’s is a pioneer in connecting alumni and current graduates, setting a benchmark in the education industry.

What do mentees get out of it?

In a world of uncertainties and rapid change, mentoring provides valuable experiences and supportive relationships. It creates a safe space, a kind of laboratory where you can test your assumptions by drawing on stories, experiences and, importantly, questions shared during the sessions.

Did you have a mentor?

I’ve had several mentors from diverse backgrounds. While some relationships were not formally labelled as mentoring, they all provided valuable insights and guidance. A mentor can be anyone – a thesis supervisor, a colleague, a professor or a friend who champions your growth.

Recently, I read Shoe Dog, a book by Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike. Although I’ve never met him, reading his book felt like a mentoring experience.

However, when you formalise a mentoring relationship with someone – where the interactions are codified, expectations are set and the goals are defined – it can be especially stimulating. In such cases, when your mentor does not know you well, their support is rooted in a genuine belief in your potential, free from personal familiarity and prejudice.

What advice do you wish you’d had when you were building your career?

I wish I had someone encouraging me not to fear taking risks and reminding me that happiness does not necessarily come from a traditional nine-to-five job.

Finally, what’s the best piece of careers advice you’ve been given?

Defining our own paths to success in life, which encompasses happiness for me rather than adhering to old-fashioned work structures, is what we all should be aiming for. This approach encourages us to shape our professional and personal development in ways that resonate with our value systems and goals, and drives us to create a future of work where everyone can make a meaningful impact.