Multiverse Mentoring: "I've learnt just as much from my mentee as they have from me"

We’re achieving this through professional apprenticeships: more than 8000 apprentices have enrolled on our programmes, and our offer of applied learning and personalised coaching is now a truly outstanding alternative to university.

But building an outstanding alternative to university, and creating future leaders, extends beyond just the academic. It means nurturing potential, bringing together lived experiences, building professional networks and support pillars.

Multiverse Mentoring fills this gap. Launched in the summer of 2020, the programme is approaching its 10th round. In that time, almost 600 apprentices have benefitted from one-to-one mentoring from an industry professional.

Mentors come from all walks of life. They may be founders, c-suite executives, freelancers at the height of their career, or edging into middle management. They can be from anywhere - from Silicon Valley, to Canary Wharf, New York City to Helsinki.

What they all have in common is an ability to ignite apprentices with inspiration, motivation and the power of their lived experience.

Mentors give up just two hours a month to support apprentices to achieve goals that are tailored to them. Some apprentices exactly where they want to be, some want career advice, some want to build confidence, and some want inspiration. Some are right at the start of their careers, others are established professionals looking to make change.

And when we speak to our mentors - we hear that they’re inspired. They are proud of helping their mentee get a raise or promotion. And above all, they are learning just as much as the mentee through the process.

Daryoush is Regional Sales Director at Salesforce. A Canadian living in London, he manages the Datorama team for Northern European markets.

What was your path to Multiverse Mentoring?

Salesforce is well known for encouraging a host of volunteering opportunities. I found this in an internal slack channel. It sounded like a great opportunity to work with some really ambitious individuals.

How was meeting your mentee?

Sometimes mentoring initiatives feel forced. But my experience with Multiverse Mentoring was different. Because everyone is choosing to take part, setting goals beforehand, and coming in with lots of energy: I had a great time with my match, Hulya.

What have you been discussing in your mentoring sessions?

My match, Hulya, is in the public sector. Firstly, it's a fascinating insight into a different industry from my own, but also a lesson in how what we need to know to best perform in our career really isn't that different. I think we balanced the lessons from both our sectors quite nicely. When Hulya was looking to get promoted, we actually booked sessions closer together so that I could be a support through that time period. We also looked into objection handling - how do you handle that first “no” when you want something? As a senior sales person, I’m equipped to advise there.

What did you learn from being a Multiverse Mentor?

It’s a fascinating insight into a different sector, and life, that I never would have had access to in classic networking circles.

The big lesson I learned was that I should be taking my own advice. Multiverse Mentoring provides this space where you put an idea out there for someone else: salary negotiation, best practice emails and so on. You begin to realise this applies to your own context. I started talking with my own mentor, and realised she was giving me the same advice I’d been giving Hulya. I had the answers all along!

Vaida is Data Science Lead at Travis Perkins. She now works in the Group Data Science Team and supports strategic initiatives. She’s a part of the “Women in Data” network - and is closing out her Advanced Data Fellowship at Multiverse.

What was your path to Multiverse Mentoring?

Originally, I was a mentee because I’m always interested in learning from others. At that point I didn’t consider the option of being a mentor, because I didn’t think I’d have enough experience to offer. After returning from maternity leave, I had to figure out the "new" normal in terms of remote working and being a mother.
Through Multiverse, I was able to work on my personal objectives and when the next opportunity was available for mentoring, I signed up to be a mentor because I was ready to listen first and then share my knowledge and experiences.

How was meeting your mentee?

I was matched with Laura - a young professional. Immediately she impressed me with her honesty and attitude. She had a brilliant balance of technical and interpersonal questions, and I found that the conversation was seamless between different topics.

What have you been discussing in your mentoring sessions?

I mostly provided a listening ear - being completely impartial and not familiar with her industry, I was impressed how well Laura explained the concepts and how she contributed to the overall success. Where she had technical or data related questions, she informed me in advance giving me an opportunity to review and prepare for the mentorship sessions.

What did you learn from being a Multiverse Mentor?

This was the first formal mentoring engagement for me and I was surprised how quickly the four months went. I could see how much progress Laura made during each catch up and I found it to be truly inspirational. Mentorship is a great way of growing the confidence to ask questions and see what happens if we are willing to be open and honest. Having an opportunity to discuss options and bounce ideas helps to think "outside the box" and get a new perspective.

Rachel Davies is a Technical Advisor at the Environment Agency, undertaking a Project Management Apprenticeship to expand her knowledge in her future goals, environment based project management. She came to Multiverse Mentoring as a mentee.

What was your path to Multiverse Mentoring?

I applied to get a Multiverse Mentor because I saw the opportunity and I wanted to learn about how to get to the next level. I wanted to feel inspired, and specifically, to work on my confidence.

What have you been discussing in your mentoring sessions?

Claudia, my mentor from Tortoise Media, and I are running it loosely - she’s like an accountability partner. We have a chat and I go away and report back on things I am reading, listening and developing and we have another chat. In between the meetings I feel I am reflecting on this positive journey and am building a different mindset by having that person there, focussed on me.

What have you learned during your time with Multiverse Mentoring?

So much, and so much to come! I’ve still got some weeks to go and I’m grateful for that time. Put your energy where you want to build in life - both professional and personal!

All of our Multiverse Mentors give their time to an apprentice’s development, and through it help to advance their career.

We’re also looking for inspirational people like you to become our next Multiverse Mentors. If you have six years or more professional experience and can spare two hours a month, apply for our next cohort today, or get in touch with mentoring@multiverse.io for more information on how Multiverse Mentoring can support you, or your organisation with its employer supported volunteering goals.

Apply to become a mentor