Making an Impact: Reflections on a Mentorship Journey

Last weekend, I concluded a mentorship program with my mentees under the Mastercard Foundation Associate Program, executed in partnership with Jobberman Nigeria . Over four months, we embarked on a journey to empower early-career professionals, providing them with guidance, skills, and perspectives to excel in their personal and professional lives.

The Initiative: Bridging the Gap in Africa's Workforce

The Mastercard Foundation Associate Program is a transformative initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of unemployment and underemployment in Africa. It connects associates with local employers, equipping them with practical skills, networking opportunities, and leadership competencies. Designed to prepare young professionals for the job market, the program emphasizes mentorship, training, and coaching—an initiative I was honoured to contribute to.

Understanding Mentees Aspirations

At the start of the program, I gathered some insights into my mentees' expectations. As shown below, their expectations revolved around career guidance, personal development, goal-setting, communication skills, and building sustainable networks. The mentees valued mentorship for offering accountability, realistic perspectives, and tailored support. With these in mind, I designed an agenda that could deliver a meaningful impact.

Designing the Mentorship Program

Drawing from my experiences with mentors who have shaped my journey, I crafted a program comprising practical activities such as:

• SMART Goal Setting
• Book Reading and Reviews
• One-on-One Chats
• Elevator Speech Crafting
• Motivational Activities

The structured approach we adopted ensured that each mentee actively participated and benefited from the program.

Key Lessons from the Journey

Throughout the mentorship, several important lessons stood out:

1. Setting SMART goals and being accountable transforms intentions into actionable outcomes. Sharing progress ensures consistency and adaptability.
2. Inspired by Who Moved My Cheese?, we learned that adapting to change is vital for growth. Anticipating change and seeing it as an opportunity keeps us relevant in an evolving world.
3. Documenting and sharing experiences helps others navigate similar challenges, fostering a culture of mutual growth.
4. Excellence and dedication to every task open doors to recognition and opportunities, reaffirming the value of hard work.
5. Success is incomplete without kindness and consideration for others, which cultivate collaboration and shared growth.

Impact Through Feedback

The mentees’ feedback validated the impact of the program. Here are some highlights:

• M.A. from Ghana: "...your patience and guidance, especially in reviewing Who Moved My Cheese?, transformed how I approach life and change. Thank you!"
• O.U. from Nigeria: "This program helped me achieve milestones like reading my first book this year, setting clear goals, and crafting my first elevator speech. Your mentorship empowered me to take these steps."
• O.S. from Nigeria: "Thanks for mentoring us despite your busy schedule. Reading Who Moved My Cheese? taught me to move forward from failure. My time management has also improved significantly."
• E.N. from Ghana: "Being the group representative taught me leadership, and the one-on-one session helped me write my first speech. Your attention to detail had a big impact."
• A.A. from Ghana: "The program shifted my mindset about work and growth. Crafting and researching an elevator speech was an eye-opener. Your structured approach made this experience exceptional."
• K.A. from Nigeria: "Your insights and guidance during our meetings were deeply impactful. Thank you for your dedication and mentorship!"

Their stories of growth and transformation underscore the program’s success.

Closing Reflections

As Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” This mentorship journey has been a testament to that truth. The Certificate of Appreciation I received is a reminder of the privilege to guide and inspire others—a responsibility I will continue to embrace.

#Mentorship #Leadership #MakingAnImpact