Signing up for the mentorship programme is one of the best decisions I have made in my college career. Through this programme I have grown immensely as a person and learned so much about not only myself but how I can be better prepared for the workplace and my future career.

I have become so confident, that sometimes I don't recognise myself! Through attending career skills workshops, meeting my mentor, doing a Shadow day with her, and being able to email her with any questions I had, I was able to improve myself and learn many new skills.

I still remember being so nervous just trying to set up the first meeting. When I finally arrived at the Guinness Storehouse to meet my mentor, Jenny I was so hesitant that I nearly left, twice. I wasn’t confident and felt like I should never have signed up in the first place.

Then I met Jenny, and she completely changed my perspective. We were able to work as a team and developed a plan to improve my soft skills and make me realise just how great I really am.  We set goals and focused on creating a fabulous CV and a sample cover letter, improving my interview skills, learning to network, setting up a LinkedIn, and finally, finding out what I really want to do after college and what industry I would like to work in. One of the main goals was to prepare me for the INTRA process and make sure that I get an internship that I really want for the 12 month work placement in third year.

 I learned how to stick to deadlines by not procrastinating and really figured out what I would like to do. I think this is one of the most important things that I have learned through this programme. I am now focused on the career that I would like to have instead of thinking of what everyone else is doing.

Because of all the meetings and email communication with my mentor, my communication skills have vastly improved. I know how to write emails with a good workplace etiquette and how to converse with people in the workplace. I have also learned to adapt to any situation quite well because of the work shadow day.

I now know how to go about searching for a future career and what I have to do to excel in interviews. Through the workshops I attended I learned what employers look for when hiring and the huge emphasis that is put on the ‘growth mindset’ and how important having a LinkedIn is. Going to these workshops made me realise how ‘behind’ everyone else I was by not using all the tools that are accessible to me. I had to step back and really focus on creating my brand and showcasing my skills and achievements. I was able to work on this with my mentor and now have a strong LinkedIn profile and a well branded CV.

Another workshop that made an impact on me was  ‘Dress for Success’. I really enjoyed it as I was able to learn what ‘smart casual’ really is, and what clothing is most appropriate for my line of work. I was able to trial all that I have learned about dressing for the workplace at the meetings with my mentor and the work shadow day. I now feel that when I start my INTRA placement I won’t be stressed or worried about what to wear, because my professional capsule wardrobe is all set and ready.

INTRA isn’t a worry for me anymore, because of all that I have learned through the mentorship programme and the skills I was able to improve I secured an amazing work placement. Instead of stressing out about my future career and finding a job I am now confident and ready to take on the world. I can't wait to see what I will be able to accomplish in the next 12 months during my INTRA placement. I now know that my potential is limitless and can’t wait to see who I’ll become when I finally ‘ grow up’.