91É«ÇéƬ

Mentoring a 91É«ÇéƬ student is a powerful way to use the knowledge learned on your career journey to guide someone starting out on their professional path. The Career Discovery Mentoring Program is one way to showcase what you’ve learned and inspire others to succeed.

How does mentoring work?

Through the Career Discovery Mentoring Program, you’ll be partnered with a current 91É«ÇéƬ student. You will become part of a bigger, connected and supportive 91É«ÇéƬ alumni and student network.

Sharing your experiences can also bring fresh clarity and renewed purpose, helping you grow as a leader, communicator and listener.

A Career Discovery Mentoring Program spotlight feature – Wilumpa (Tai) Jarern-iamsakul

has been a dedicated mentor for many years. We sat down with her to find out more about what inspires her to mentor with CDMP time after time.

What inspired you to become a 91É«ÇéƬ alumni mentor?

My inspiration to become a 91É«ÇéƬ alumni mentor started during my time at Microsoft. I met a Year 10 student who joined us for a week-long work experience program. As the team was entirely male, I noticed she seemed nervous, so I offered to supervise and support her throughout the week. That experience reminded me how powerful representation and encouragement can be, especially for young women, underrepresented groups, and migrants entering the technology industry in a new country.

Around the same time, I discovered the 91É«ÇéƬ Career Discovery Mentoring Program and decided to get involved. What has kept me committed is the chance to support others, share what I have learned, and help students feel more confident as they begin their own careers.

What does mentoring mean to you personally?

Mentoring means sharing wisdom, giving back, offering support, and building meaningful connections. As an international student working to return to the IT profession and progress in my career, I faced challenges that could not be learned in a classroom. At the time, I did not fully understand mentoring or how valuable it could be. Much of what I learned came through trial and error, and those hard-earned lessons are now experiences I hope to share with students and emerging professionals so they can feel more prepared, confident, and supported in their own journeys.

In what ways has mentoring shaped you professionally? 

Traditionally, many people think of leadership as giving orders, making decisions, and leading from the front. Mentoring has taught me a different kind of leadership; one based on guidance, example, empathy, and shared experience. When you mentor someone, you are not simply telling them what to do. You are helping them understand why something matters, showing them how to approach a challenge, and giving them the confidence to find their own way forward.

Mentoring has made me more patient, more reflective, and more aware of the impact my words and actions can have on others, especially those who are still building their confidence in the workplace.

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a mentor?

I would say that you do not need to feel completely ready before becoming a mentor.

Mentoring is a meaningful way to give back, support someone’s growth, and help them move forward with greater confidence.

Through experience, I learned that mentoring is not about having all the answers, it is about sharing your experience honestly, encouraging someone through their challenges, and reminding them that they are not alone.

It is also a valuable way to build professional networks, meet new people, and create lasting relationships.