It all began with one girl, a chance encounter that forever changed my understanding of mentorship.
Two years ago, I was working as an HR manager, going through the usual routine of interviews. That’s when I met her. She was young, fresher, out of college, and had no professional experience to speak of. Her resume was thin, but there was something about her. She had a spark — an eagerness to learn, a light in her eyes that I couldn’t ignore. Despite her lack of experience, I decided to give her a chance.
The next morning, I saw her again, looking nervous as she handed over her documents. I tried to break the ice with a small chat, but she seemed uneasy. Finally, she blurted out, “I think I made a mistake. I want to leave this job.”
I was taken aback. “Why do you want to leave already?” I asked.
Her voice was shaky. “It’s the.... It takes me over an hour to get here every day. And… the salary. It’s just not worth it.”
I could see the fear in her eyes. She was at a crossroads, torn between stepping into the unknown and retreating to the safety of what she knew. I leaned forward and said, “Listen, I understand it feels overwhelming. But you’re at the start of your career. You need to gain experience, learn how a workplace functions, how to work in a team. Don’t think about the money now. Give it a few months. You might surprise yourself and find something here that you like. Trust me.”
She hesitated, doubt clouding her face, but I could sense a flicker of hope. After a moment, she nodded, a small smile breaking through. “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”
I watched her over the following days as she started to change. Slowly, she stepped out of her shell, cautiously at first, then more confidently. She began asking questions, taking risks, and pushing herself beyond her comfort zone. One afternoon, I sat with her during a break, and we began talking — not just about work, but about everything under the sun. For a moment, it felt like I was speaking to an old friend, not a new employee. She had this hunger, this drive to change her life, but she didn’t know how. So, she kept asking, and I kept sharing.
One day, out of the blue, she asked, “How old are you?”
“Thirty,” I replied.
She looked genuinely surprised. “I thought you were younger… maybe 26 or 27!”
We both laughed, and from that moment, our conversations deepened. We talked more, both in and out of the office. We’d start with professional matters, but our discussions would always drift into unexpected places. She had a way of asking questions that made me think deeper about my own path, my choices.
But life has a way of throwing curveballs. Due to personal reasons, I had to leave the job. I had always dreamed of being an entrepreneur, so I took a leap of faith. I decided to build a social network for filmmakers, a place where the many crafts of the film world could connect more seamlessly. It was daunting, and most days, I felt like I was fumbling in the dark, trying to find a light switch.
Despite my departure, she and I stayed in touch. We spoke almost every week. She would share her struggles, her small victories, and I would update her on my new venture. Her questions became a mirror, reflecting back on me, challenging me to stay on course. Every call felt like an anchor, grounding me. With each conversation, I felt myself growing, evolving, becoming more certain of my path.
And then it hit me — what we had was a true mentorship. It wasn’t just about sharing knowledge; it was about support, encouragement, and growth. It was a bond that pushed both of us to be better. I realized if I had experienced this kind of mentorship in my 20s, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time lost in the wrong company, going in the wrong direction.
Mentorship is more than guidance; it’s a lifeline. It’s a relationship that transforms both the mentor and the mentee. I realized how much I enjoyed this — not just imparting knowledge but also feeling the responsibility to help her grow. It pushed me to learn more, to be better. We were growing together, and that’s when I knew: mentorship is not just important; it’s essential for personal growth, for becoming who we’re meant to be.
From this revelation, the concept of a Mentors on Demand network was born. I wanted everyone to experience the profound impact of mentorship — to help each other grow, push each other forward, and, together, change the world. The idea took root, expanded, and became a vision. And that’s how FME (FindMyExpertise.com) came to life.
We all need that one person, that little push, to help us jump toward our dreams. And sometimes, that person can change everything.
#Mentorship #FME #Mentor #MentorMagicPool
