How Mentorship Guide Your Green Career Journey

As discussed in our previous article, the global and Hong Kong green job market is giving a promising outlook, which may attract many people like you to consider starting or shifting to a career in environmental sustainability. The bright side is that there are now more resources available to help you prepare for a green career. However, how can you find personalized guidance that aligns with your goals and supports you on your journey? This is how a green mentorship program can be incredibly valuable.?

This article will discuss the value of having a green mentorship in career exploration by sharing a story from one of our mentorship program participants, and advise you on getting the best out of a mentorship program.?

The Climate Incubator Green Mentorship Program

In February 2023, Climate Incubator launched its first green mentorship program with the goal of connecting professionals in various environmental fields with young climate leaders. The program was open to young individuals interested in pursuing a career in sustainability. Eleven mentees were matched with experienced mentors, who provided guidance, support, and advice on navigating the green job market and fostering their professional and personal growth over a six-month period.

The mentorship program concluded last week (July 2023). We interviewed one of our mentees, Sunny Ko, to learn about his transformative experience in the mentorship program.

Meet Sunny Ko ( Cheuk Yat Ko ), Mentee of the First Cohort

Sunny is a year 4 undergraduate student majoring in Chinese and Philosophy at Lingnan University, Hong Kong. He is a sociable and thoughtful individual who is striving to better himself and with a desire to expand his horizons by interacting with people from diverse backgrounds and engaging in new experiences. Currently, he is running a startup, Pastime Solutions, to focus on providing a transformative alternative reality game experience in education.

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What is the starting point for joining the Green Mentorship Program?

As a final-year student, I have been contemplating my career path for most of the time. I feel uncertain about my potential, so I always seek opportunities to better equip myself. My past part-time work experience on campus and extra-curricular activities have sparked my interest in project management or event planning, particularly in promoting environmental sustainability. I am eager to learn more about the potential of the green industry beyond the school environment to determine if it is the right path for me.

When I learned about the Green Mentorship program, I saw it as an opportunity to expand my network and gain insight from mentors who may have pursued a similar path. I am hopeful that their experiences can provide me with valuable guidance.

How is your interaction with your assigned mentor?

We have regular meetings and our communication is open and effective. During our initial meeting, I shared information about my start-up company and sought her advice. I appreciate that my mentor was generous with her time and shared her past experiences with me. Specifically, I was struggling with managing partnerships and my mentor provided valuable insights and advice.

In addition to addressing my specific questions, my mentor has also been proactive in sharing information about international competition opportunities for my start-up. Since then, I have become more aware of international trends and have begun to follow relevant information sources on YouTube and other platforms. My mentor has encouraged me to think more broadly and internationally and has helped me to expand my perspective beyond my immediate concerns.

Do you experience any changes since the mentorship program?

Yes. Through my mentor's guidance, I have become more mature and learned how to protect myself when forming partnerships with other parties. Additionally, I have been exposed to more international information, which has helped me to adopt a more global perspective.

Rather than simply judging which companies are currently "green," we should think about how to make all companies more environmentally sustainable if we gonna create a more sustainable future.

I gained a deeper understanding of the concept of green jobs and green companies through the green mentorship program. This realization has influenced my thinking and I am glad that some of my current projects are making contributions towards this bigger goal.

Are you gaining more clarity on your career path?

Absolutely. While not all of my company's activities are directly related to green, our overall direction is focused on sustainability. To me, sustainability is a broader concept, which encompasses more than just "green" initiatives.?

I now have a clearer direction for my career path. With the growing emphasis on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)? in the business world, there is a growing demand for sustainability-focused initiatives in the market. This strengthened my confidence to tap into the green market and in achieving my goals. I am grateful to the mentorship program for providing me with this valuable insight.

What advice would you give to the next cohort of mentees?

One important piece of advice is to be prepared before meeting with your mentor. To make the most of your time together, it's important to be clear about what you want to share and what specific advice or guidance you are seeking. Remember that mentors are busy and generously sharing their time with you, so it's important to use the limited meeting time wisely.

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Extra Advice to Get the Most Out of a Mentorship Program?

Hearing the story from Sunny is encouraging, as it shows how the green mentorship program has uplifted his confidence in pursuing his career. If you are fortunate to get into a mentorship program, here are extra tips for you to gain the most from the program.

1. Define Your Goal: Being clear about your objectives, requirements, and expected results from the mentoring program is crucial. Explicitly stating your goals can increase the likelihood of achieving them, as mentors possess skills and expertise in various areas.
2. Be Proactive: Take the initiative to schedule meetings with your mentors. Consider setting a recurring calendar reminder a few weeks in advance to decide on the time and date to meet. It demonstrates a commitment to cooperation and mutual respect.
3. Take action: Apply the advice and guidance provided by your mentor in your professional and personal life. Take concrete steps towards achieving your goals and update your mentor on your progress.

Summary: 3 Benefits of Having a Green Mentorship for Your Career

A mentorship program can provide guidance, support, and access to valuable resources for exploring your career direction. Here is a summary of reasons why you should consider green mentorship.?

1. Access to Resources: A mentorship program could provide mentees access to a range of resources, including workshops, networking events, and job postings. These resources helped mentees to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in the green job market and provided them with opportunities to connect with other young professionals who share their passion for sustainability.
2. Connect to a Community of Like-minded People: Working alone can be quick, but working together is far more effective. Through mentorship programs, mentees can find people with similar interests and learn together. This can provide a sense of community and support, as well as opportunities for collaboration and growth.
3. Thinking Beyond: Learning from others can open up new perspectives and ways of thinking. Mentors can offer a fresh perspective on challenges and provide guidance on finding solutions from a new angle. Sometimes, what you need is not just knowledge or resources, but a change in your way of thinking.?

With the urgent climate crisis at hand, the world needs more young people who are committed to creating a more sustainable future. Follow Climate Incubator to learn more about the range of resources and support we offer to you in pursuing green careers.?

Let's Learn and Grow Together for Our Sustainable Future.

Read related articles:

• About Climate Incubator - Our Story & Values
• 5 Tips to Get Prepared For a Green Career

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