Why did you decide to become a mentor?
I was very fortunate that, when I began my career, my line manager was also my mentor. To be honest, I didn't realise at the time that I was being mentored. It was only after a few years, on reflecting on my own career path, that I recognised he was sharing with me valuable lessons he had learned. Although they sometimes seemed counterintuitive, they were instrumental in helping me understand myself and the business landscape. He was patient and composed, and even when I wasn't fully attentive, he continued to take the time to offer his insights. I have experienced first-hand the positive impact of long-term mentoring, which is why I have chosen to become a mentor at mentorcruise.com. Career and life present enough challenges, and an experienced mentor can significantly make things easier and faster.
How did you get your career start?
After completing my Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering, I began my career as a calibration engineer at an accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) metrology calibration laboratory in Lisbon, Portugal. After a couple of years, I became the Head of that Laboratory, leading a team of highly specialised engineers. With this scientific background and my curiosity, I began an unplanned transition into project management and continuous improvement. I followed my passion and relocated to London, United Kingdom. In the early stages of my career, I focused on solving technical challenges within established processes. Over time, I took the initiative to modify those business processes myself. I naturally adopt a beginner's mindset and a first-principles approach to everything I do, which I hope can inspire others in any field they wish to pursue.
What do mentees usually come to you for?
I had the privilege of working with many different people from different backgrounds. With each person, I committed myself fully to delivering as much value as possible, and I believe I was successful in doing so. I helped people craft compelling CVs that helped them secure positions in digital banks and marketing agencies. I also supported people in their transition from engineering to project management, and more recently, I collaborated with a senior leader who required assistance in managing demanding stakeholders. I view mentoring as a medium to long-term relationship, and I believe that those who are open to exploring different approaches and following their mentor's guidance will gain the most from their mentorship.
What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?
I had many. One of my favourite mentorship relationships was working with a mentee who, despite having a long list of achievements and professional certifications, wasn't able to get the first interview call. And this was due only to her mindset and a somewhat difficult-to-read CV. Her CV was 5 or 6 pages long, and in her mind, she had to be as clear as possible about everything that she had accomplished in the past. The CV is not a scientific report, and it's not meant to be exhaustive. It should be an attractive document that instils the curiosity of the hiring manager in wanting to learn more and initiate the first contact. That mindset required some time to take root in her, but after that, the interviews were just pouring in, and eventually, she decided to accept a very good offer from a progressive company. She was very disciplined during the mentorship process and genuinely wanted to try, so that helped a lot. I was very happy for her achievement and for being part of her success.
What are you getting out of being a mentor?
As someone who is naturally introverted, I find that mentoring allows me to enhance my interpersonal skills. It's a mutually beneficial relationship: I dedicate my full attention to individuals eager to advance in their careers, and in doing so, I learn alongside them and refine my own abilities. This experience has also helped me grow as a leader. By adopting a broader perspective and practising temperance, I have also become a better person. I genuinely enjoy delivering value and improving processes, and being part of my mentees' growth journey is a true privilege.
