Giulia Cassarà – Meet the Mentor

Why did you decide to become a mentor?

Leadership is a skill that requires practice, and the best way is through mentorship. Mentorship is a reciprocal, interdependent relationship. As a mentor, I teach and learn from the mentee and vice versa. As Co-founder and principal software engineer of my company, I lead technical initiatives daily. During my PhD, I tutored students and guided thesis work. Through all of this, I discovered that helping others succeed gives me a deep sense of fulfillment. Knowing I've made a tangible difference in someone's career trajectory is what drives me.

How did you get your career start?

Early in my bachelor's degree in Computer Science, I had a close friend who managed a team at a large company. He saw potential in me that I hadn't yet recognized. More importantly, he taught me a critical mindset: any problem can be solved with the right approach and resources. He also gave me unconventional advice that changed everything: explore beyond your technical field—psychology, management, business. At first, it seemed unrelated, but it transformed how I think about problems and people. That guidance opened doors I didn't know existed. Years later, while completing my master's and PhD, I co-founded a company with my life partner. Most people put limits on themselves: "I can't do a PhD and build a company simultaneously." I reject that thinking. You should pursue what excites you, not what others expect of you.

What do mentees usually come to you for?

Many mentees need help with some technical problems in their daily jobs. They're overwhelmed by the endless amount of data science content online and need a curated learning path tailored to their background. They want to break into data science or AI roles and need honest feedback on what skills they actually need and how to stand out in competitive markets. Many have the skills but struggle to showcase them effectively. I help them build compelling portfolios and, just as importantly, overcome imposter syndrome. I start by actively listening, understanding their lifestyle, constraints, and how much effort they're realistically willing to invest. Then I create a strategic roadmap with both short-term wins and long-term goals. This isn't one-size-fits-all; it's customized to their situation. I expect mentees to be active participants, not passive recipients. Mentorship works when there's honest feedback flowing both ways. When that happens, I become not just a mentor, but a strategic partner invested in their success.

What’s been your favourite mentorship success story so far? 

My first mentee came to me in a tough spot: his job required him to build a time series classifier, but the data was messy and resisted standard approaches. He was stressed and doubting himself.

But he was also determined. We worked through the technical challenges together, and he successfully delivered the project. More importantly, I helped him see that this struggle wasn't a sign of inadequacy, but it was actually a sign he was tackling real, hard problems.

I then created a personalized learning path that fit his schedule and background. By the end of our mentorship, his confidence had completely transformed. He went from feeling overwhelmed to feeling ready to tackle whatever came next in his career. That transformation is what makes mentorship worthwhile.

What are you getting out of being a mentor? 

Unlike lecturing, where information flows one direction, mentorship is open dialogue. My perspectives get challenged, expanded, and refined regularly. It's how I keep my own skills sharp and my thinking fresh.

Some of my mentees are in senior management positions, bringing experiences I haven't had yet. Hearing their perspectives helps me build my own leadership philosophy. Others are at the beginning of their careers, asking questions that force me to articulate why I make certain decisions, which deepens my own understanding.

The reciprocal nature of mentorship means I grow alongside the people I mentor. And honestly? There's no better feeling than watching someone find their path and knowing you played a part in helping them get there.