Why did you decide to become a mentor?
I decided to become a mentor because of the opportunity to share my experience and skills. When I started my career, I benefited from the mentorship of experienced team members, and this was pivotal to developing my skills and building my confidence. And I am fortunate enough to still benefit from mentorship today, which helps me to grow. However, those entering the industry do not always benefit from access to a more experienced person to help develop their skills. I decided to become a mentor to help those people to break into the industry and develop new skills.
How did you get your career start?
I studied graphic communication at university, and during this course, I learned the fundamentals of visual design: typography, colour, and composition. I was able to use these skills to transition into a Junior UX Designer role. However, there was still a lot to learn, and I benefited greatly from the support of team members in the first few years. This mentorship helped me develop my understanding of business and how design can be integrated into the software development process. Over time I have developed my skills in user research, working with development teams and managing products. New technology, processes and industries have challenged me to continue to learn new skills and knowledge. Throughout all of this, I’ve benefited greatly from the advice of mentors and colleagues.
What do mentees usually come to you for?
Mentees can come to me for help establishing their UX or product design careers. I can help by working with the mentee to develop their portfolio, build confidence and practice interview techniques. I start my mentoring process with a discovery call, to understand what the mentee is looking for from the mentorship programme. During this call, I take time to learn about the prior experience, the short and longer-term goals, and the steps they have already taken. We then collaboratively work on a plan to achieve their individual goals. Usually, this develops into regular 45-minute calls at a cadence that works for them. I’m also on hand to support via chat. I have a wealth of knowledge to share with my mentees such as book recommendations, articles, and practical advice. They can ask me questions about tools and techniques, or advice on the interview process for designers. I can also help those who are new to the industry who are looking to develop their skills.
What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?
I've mentored students who are studying on a UX Design course for over four years. I've seen many students go on to successfully land their dream jobs in the industry. Watching them develop their careers beyond the course is fulfilling. Aspects I found particularly rewarding are giving valuable feedback on portfolios and interview techniques as well as helping guide their course projects to showcase important industry skills. Sometimes, the mentee's questions challenge me to reflect on my practice or even learn something new. I've often found that I learn new things and ideas when helping others.
What are you getting out of being a mentor?
I enjoy seeing my mentees grow and build their confidence. Mentoring has helped me develop my leadership qualities and confidence in helping more junior team members. It has also challenged me to expand and refine my skills to give the best possible advice to my mentees. Mentoring is always an enjoyable experience and is an opportunity to learn a lot from the different backgrounds of my mentees.