Sarah Golley talks Mentoring Matters... with Karen Andrew

Tell me about yourself

So far I have had two career paths. One within the retail sector where I spent ten years working for several large high street companies. I started my career in retail as a window dresser, now known as a visual merchandiser. I worked my way through the ranks to become Store Manager then onto Area Manager. My last retail role was as HR & Training Manager in Hamley’s Toy Store in London, which I absolutely loved.

After having my son I found the travelling too much, therefore gave up my job in London and started working as Receptionist near to home, part time at Telewest.?Telewest became Virgin Media and then Virgin Media O2.?After working as receptionist for 12 months I was asked to take on a project role that soon led to Management and then to Head of Department. Twenty-one year later I am still here and still enjoying every day in this challenging, fast paced and ever-changing environment.

My passion is travelling, ideally somewhere warm. I keep fit by working out and walking, and my hobby is cake decorating.

Why is mentoring important to you?

In my career I have been blessed with some fabulous leaders and mentors, all of which have played a part in making me the person I have become today.?I want to give something back, support and help grow talent in VMO2.

I want to share my experiences with others. I want to advise and support through not just the good times, but also the difficult and tough times that make us more resilient.?

Do you have a mentor?

I have an ad hoc mentor from many years ago. Whilst we don’t talk weekly, or even monthly, I do have someone to go to when I need guidance or support.

What advice do you want to share with LinkedIn?

I think mentoring can be rewarding whilst challenging at times.?It’s important to build a relationship of trust with your mentee, to do this I make sure they know about me, my career, and my life journeys.

As a mentor we don’t have to have all the answers, but we do need to know how we work through problems and situations to allow us to guide and support. As a mentor I don’t expect all my mentees to follow the same path, I allow them to be individual and we work on a plan that can work for us both.

The only ask I ever have of mentees is that they are embarking on this journey because it’s what they want, and not what their manager has told them they need.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your career?

Believe in yourself!