Mentoring Bubble - how I met my Mentor

There are just so many things happening in my life at the moment! (or I'm just delulu guys). So many blogs I wanna write but can’t find time for - this Mentoring Bubble Experience Blog was scheduled 1 month ago! Okayyyy, let’s rewind back 9 months then (sigh)

Timeline

Well, instead of me explaining, maybe it’s better to present it this way?

The Program, Organiser, Mentee and Mentor

Before talking about c Thu, the most amazing mentor, super cute and friendly, I need to give the stage for The Project Darts (TPD) first and their program - The Mentoring Bubble.

Actually, I might mention other mentors as well hehe.

TPD is an NGO for Vietnamese students and young professionals to pave their way to a career in the UK. They have lots of programs, and events with the presence of in-the-field experts, and professionals willing to help the new buds of our future. This mentor program was one of them, where one mentor will pair with 2-3 people and mentor them for 6 months regarding their choice of field.

Context about me at the moment - graduated with First Class Honour in International Business Management, or more like “Very good at attending class, handing in assignments and completing my degree without even realising”. I was so confused with what I like - I am still like that, but less afraid 😄. But since people were asking me so many times! - WHAT DO YOU LIKE?!

And well, since you asked, I guess I would give you the answers? Data, and talk.

• Data, because I like to document things, and store them in a nice and clear way. And Excel is so fun!

• Talk, I wouldn’t say I like it. But since communication skills are so important, I will just fool my silly self.

I first signed up in 2 fields: Engineering and Consulting. To many surprise, and not mine, it wasn’t relevant at all to my current job at the moment - Admissions Officer, and background in Marketing. And somehow, I got picked by both of the mentors - a Bao and c Thu.

I haven’t asked them for permission to disclose their identity so, this is basically what you only get.

A Bao - my sister’s friend: He was super nice and helpful, he gave me lots of CV insights. But sadly we didn’t move forward since I had no clue what a Tester is - and I just wanted to learn it because: a. money, b. no code, c. personality match. 😛

C Thu - amazing person: she was the most patient person, other mentors must have told me to apply to something they specialised in, C Thu literally gave me 5 months to discover not What I Like, but Just Prepare & Do It.

Just Prepare & Do It

1. Well, if you don't know what you like, to get another job, you would need a good CV first, right? The first step and very important step.

2. Your CV now looks good to go, let’s prepare you for the interview. If that’s what you scare. (I hate interviews, I was so so scared and sick of it, makes me think of when I practised for IELTS, I talked in English in my dreams urgh)

3. Okay now you have all the basics, I guess - just apply to whatever intrigue your interest? Or you might find good things to learn from the job. This is basically my strategy for opening my job search. My first and only platform - LinkedIn.

4. Alongside applying, I would try to message HR about that job and ask job-related questions. Or just stalked their feed and dropped some comments.

5. Throughout this whole process, I tried to make myself more visible on LinkedIn, more updates, more networking, private messages (which took me a lot of courage, but I'm glad I did it), reached out to HR, etc.

Preparation Before Each Session

Before sessions, I gave updates to her, prepared some questions, and set objectives - if there is one thing I could do differently, is to prepare more before joining the call, and be more active in the job search.

Take Note Template (or Notion template)

Please drop me a msg if you want one, the note was okay. I was lazy, but it really helped with keep track of and retain info. I also have an application tracker if you need it.

My Thank You

Thank you TPD for providing the mentoring opportunity, because of this program I have a new job now and I love it. Thank you c Thu for your support, I will never forget you sis.

Thanks Minh - another mentee in my group. A brilliant, young guy with ambition and knows where he is heading to. His hustle and bustle inspired me to work harder, but also gave me pressure haha.

Any advice or recommendations from me: be disciplined.

Good luck on your journey :)