My mentoring experience: Natasha Luvaka

Why did you decide to seek the help of a mentor at King's?

I decided to seek the help of a mentor at King's because I wanted help and advice regarding my changing career path and how to best hone in on my existing skills to further my career aspirations.

How have you benefited from having a mentor?

I have benefited greatly from having a mentor. Stephanie has been so supportive and kind in providing a listening ear and sage advice. Stephanie really helped me narrow down what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go next in my career. Stephanie helped me realise what existing skills I had and how to use these to my advantage. She's been an amazing source of support and I am very grateful to have connected with her.

Why do you think having a mentor is important?

Having a mentor is important as they help develop your knowledge and skills. A mentor can help you identify what existing skills you have and what you need to achieve your chosen path. It is great to hear about your mentor's life experience and what their advice is on reflection of this. A mentor helps a great deal in providing focus and opportunities through advice, skills and knowledge development and networking. Having an experienced listening ear is a valuable resource.

What do you think are good qualities to have as a mentor?

Patience, a good listener, empathy, humour and time!

What's been the best piece of advice your mentor has given you? What impact has this had on you?

The best piece of advice my mentor gave me was to narrow down specific elements of roles that I enjoyed and to create a wish list based on this. This helped me immensely in finding a job role which aligned with what I really wanted to do. The advice was invaluable.

What advice to you have for other mentees or those looking for a mentor?

DO IT! Mentors have a wealth of expertise and knowledge both in their respective roles and in life, in general! Be sure to ask about your mentor's life, work and life journey. It goes a long way in establishing a great relationship and helps you consider roles and paths that you may not have even known about.

What would you say to recommend mentoring to other alumni?

Mentors are such a valuable resource for students and alumni alike. If you have the time and capacity, please consider it. Your knowledge and skills will always be useful to someone else.

What (or who) has had the biggest influence on you to help you achieve your success?

My parents. They worked very hard to support me and my siblings and provide us with all the opportunities possible so we could succeed in life.

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Natasha was mentored by Stephanie as part of the King’s Connect Spring Mentoring Programme 2021. Read Stephanie’s story here.