“This feeling of being able to make a small contribution is incredibly rewarding.”
In our new interview, Dustin, Manager at Deloitte, explains why he has been involved with JOBLINGE for over five years – and what makes mentoring so special for him.
How did you get into mentoring?
I came to mentoring during the COVID period. During this phase, I experienced for myself how valuable support and guidance can be. At the same time, I felt the need to give something back. In my search for an organization where I could really make a contribution and that was active in my area, I came across JOBLINGE. Since then, I have been mentoring young adults for over five years now.
What does a typical mentoring meeting look like?
After getting to know each other, we schedule our meetings together. A meeting usually starts very simply: a brief exchange about how the mentee is doing and which topics are currently relevant. We then get straight into the content, e.g. preparing for job interviews or discussing specific challenges. The most important thing is that the mentee brings their own topics and makes the most of the time. Experience has shown that it is precisely these mentoring relationships that develop the strongest.
What was your most beautiful/touching experience?
A particularly touching experience was accompanying my last mentee. Despite health setbacks, she was determined to work in a medical profession. Her perseverance and belief in herself were impressive – and in the end she found an apprenticeship. Witnessing that was a special moment.
But every mentoring relationship is unique and you always learn something new yourself. The contact often lasts for years, far beyond the official end of the mentoring.
Why should you get involved as a mentor?
Mentoring means passing on knowledge and experience – and thus supporting people who may have had a harder time in life. You can see that the support is directly received, implemented and helps young people to go their own way. This feeling of being able to make a small contribution is incredibly rewarding.
What else would you like to share with us?
Being a mentor at JOBLINGE is really a great experience. A big thank you to JOBLINGE for the organization, the matching and the opportunity to be part of it.
For me, it is a task that brings joy and meaning – and I hope that many more people will also have this experience.
