Election post
I know first-hand how important it is to find the right match, having gone through 3 different mentors, I can confidently say that collaborating with the right mentor ensured my academic success. For me, the pathway to my goals was not linear, and in turn my mentor was able to help me go forward at my own pace, building self-efficacy to become the ambitious, persevering UCL student I am today.
My STEM Leadership Award, granted by GSK, recognised my ability to adopt flexible leadership and organisational skills. By maintaining open lines of communication to promote engagement and exchange, I encouraged team momentum – a skill I can surely apply in the committee to manage the mentorship programme effectively.
Working multiple hospital volunteer roles allowed me to escalate patient concerns to improve their hospital experience, aligning with UCL's mission to engage with and better the wider world. By collaborating with a diverse range of individuals – from patients to healthcare professionals – I gained invaluable adaptive communication skills, which will aid in connecting others in mentorship, encouraging meaningful relationships & successful academic growth.
If given the opportunity, I would contribute: a networking event to meet mentors, a session on maximising the mentorship experience, source relevant academic events, and a reviewed plan for mentees' goals with periodic check-ins, even after it ends, to assess its impact on helping mentees thrive in their field.