Simon Montague is Director of Corporate Affairs for membership body, the Global Infrastructure Investor Association. He’s also mentor to Ritson, a student from London. This is his Career Ready story.
“Being a mentor requires very little time – an hour a month over the course of a year – yet could make a lifelong difference to a young person,” says Simon. “And at a macro-level, mentors help the country to develop a more able and talented workforce.”
Simon heard about the programme through the Infrastructure Industry Foundation. It supports charities like Career Ready, as part of its work to create more opportunities for a wider pool of young people from to enter the infrastructure investment industry.
“Many young people lack access to adults who are in professional careers, which can limit their self-belief and access to opportunities which will help them make the most of their talents,” Simon adds.
“Becoming a mentor is a fantastic opportunity to use and re-purpose one’s experience to help a young person who might otherwise lack access to adults in financial and professional services careers.
“As a parent, one does this for one’s own children; why not do it for someone else’s?”
Working with my mentee
Simon was paired with Ritson, a student at Harris Garrard Academy. For the last six months they’ve been meeting to talk about careers, skills, and options for the future.
“It’s rewarding to know that I can shed new light on where careers can lead,” Simon says.
“I also hope to reassure my mentee that the concerns they may feel are very similar to the ones that the ‘apparently successful’ mentor in front of them has faced as well – and found ways to overcome.
“If I have succeeded in building curiosity, confidence and ambition – and left a sense that our conversations added value – then it would all feel very worthwhile.”
The benefits of mentoring
“Being a mentor can develop one’s career,” Simon says. “It’s personal development and a clear indicator of interest in leadership and teamwork.
“There is nothing to lose, little time to commit if that is a worry, and a huge amount to gain, for you personally as well as for someone who may always be grateful for your helping hand.”
