The reciprocal benefit of mentoring is just one of the reasons why Gbemi and Tom encourage other ICAEW members to get involved.
“So being able to speak to a younger person professionally and understand what they are going through, and being able to articulate yourself clearly, has been great.” “I think those are skills that you can never really exhaust, whether communicating with peers, senior leaders, or those who are more junior,” she says. Gbemi has found that the programme has also boosted her own communication skills. “You can quite often get a little bit blinkered in your team, your business or your career, but mentoring has opened my eyes up to some of the things that are affecting other people. It means mentors are learning alongside their mentees, too. “The fact that I have got no previous connection with my mentee means that they are quite open about things and happy to have conversations about what is having an impact on them in the workplace.” “When you’re having a conversation with your boss, it may not always be as open as is possibly could be,” Tom says. Gbemi and Tom have found it particularly rewarding to watch their mentees grow as individuals with each session – something that has been facilitated by open, honest conversations.
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Previous topics have included, for example, how to approach salary negotiations with employers. The sessions don’t always have a strict agenda, but Tom says he encourages his mentee to think ahead.
When Gbemi and Tom catch up with their mentees, they typically discuss action points from their previous sessions and then follow with questions and advice. And it’s also a space to develop and build connections.” “It’s a safe space for them to ask questions, no matter how big, small or personal, that maybe they can’t ask their manager. “The sessions are a great way to build rapport with an individual,” adds Gbemi. “Out of my month, it’s probably no more than an hour's worth of work, which is a really small commitment,” says Tom. Typically, each mentoring relationship runs over a three-to-six-month period with two-to-four hours of support offered each month. Mentors don’t need any prior mentoring or coaching experience to get involved and the programme has been designed so mentors are able to share their own learnings and expertise. “I found mentoring really useful, so when I was approached to join the programme, I thought that would be a really good opportunity for me to give something back,” Tom adds. It can also give reassurance that there is light at the end of the tunnel – especially when you are doing exams, which can seem very daunting.”
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“The programme is an opportunity to help young people who are studying to really understand what it’s like to be in the professional space and how to develop and grow. “Mentoring was a massive help for me to really navigate my career and elevate myself,” says Gbemi. They encourage more members to get involved and share their knowledge. Now, taking part in ICAEW’s Student Mentoring programme as mentors has renewed their confidence in mentoring as a skills- and network-building exercise. ICAEW members Tom Shiels and Gbemi Kasanga had previously experienced the benefits of mentoring as mentees. It also increases their professional network at an early stage in their career. By learning from others’ experiences and perspectives, students build their confidence and are able to set effective goals for themselves. Mentoring an ACA student offers advantages for mentor and mentee alike.
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