“My Mentorship journey with Irene has been a fulfilling and insightful experience for both of us.” – Clare, GYST Mentor
Dbegotin: 6 months of intense mentorship! You made it this far. Congratulations and thank you so much for dedicating your time to the lives of young girls.
Sekemi: It’s my pleasure, it’s been actually rewarding and fulfilling to nurture this brilliant young mind.
Dbegotin: Amazing. So tell us, what have you been up to over the past few months, as a mentor on the GYST project?
Clare: Over the past few months, my mentee, Irene, and I, have explored various STEM fields that sparked her interest, while also looking into other areas to help her develop a broader perspective. We’ve had meaningful conversations about the core subjects she’ll need to focus on in senior secondary school to improve her chances of gaining admission into her dream STEM course at the university level. Toward the end of our program, we began introducing research and presentation assignments on different STEM topics. The goal was to strengthen her knowledge and develop her presentation and communication skills, which are essential tools for any aspiring professional.
Sekemi: Well, I have engaged in various sessions with my mentee, Precious. It’s been incredible helping to nurture her dreams of being a medical doctor. During the sessions, we discuss her academic progress, and tackle challenges together. I also share my experiences in the STEM space with her; stories that motivate her and push her to become a better person.
Dbegotin: What were the highlights of your sessions with your mentee?
Clare: One of the more interactive parts of our sessions involved watching and analysing STEM-related movies. Together, we identified the STEM fields represented, discussed the key characters and their professions, and explored what their day-to-day work might look like. This approach helped Irene connect more deeply with real-world applications of STEM careers.
Sekemi: I think the highlights for me would be seeing Precious grow, seeing that she’s going for her dreams without looking back. She’s so eager to learn and to grow, and she’s not holding back. Sharing key experiences with her, and watching her draw lessons from those experiences to apply to her academic journey, was also a standout point.
Dbegotin: Awesome, these activities seem quite engaging, and I can imagine just how receptive your mentees were. So tell us, do you think your mentee has improved since the beginning of this mentorship until now?
Sekemi: My mentee shared her report card recently, and I was so excited to see that she aced all her subjects. So yes, I believe the mentorship has greatly helped her gain more confidence and knowledge in her academics.
Clare: Yes, I’m proud of Irene’s progress, particularly in researching topics independently, expanding her view of STEM, and showing increased enthusiasm about pursuing a STEM degree in the future. She now has a solid grasp of the subjects she’ll need to focus on in school. She’s also doing well academically and is currently preparing for her final exams with focus and determination.
Dbegotin: Did you encounter any challenges during the course of this mentorship?
Clare: Of course, we encountered a few challenges along the way, the most frequent being time constraints, occasional device unavailability, and network issues. Eventually, we found that WhatsApp provided the most reliable and convenient platform for our communication.
Dbegotin: And finally, what do you see in your mentee’s future?
Clare: Looking ahead, I hope to see Irene continue to thrive academically, confidently pursue STEM subjects in secondary school, and gradually define a specific career path within STEM. Most of all, I look forward to watching her grow into one of the many remarkable women in STEM, using her knowledge and passion to make a positive impact on the world, just as she has always dreamed.
Sekemi: I am so confident that Precious will attain her dreams of being a medical doctor. She’s a brilliant young mind, and I believe in her. I’m proud of her, and I hope she continues to go for her dreams with that determination and resilience.
Dbegotin: Incredible, thank you so much for your time, Mentors Sekemi and Clare. We believe that even as the mentorship comes to an end, your mentees will continue to utilise the knowledge, skills and insights gained from this experience. Thank you.
