Mentorship is more than just a tool for personal and professional growth – it’s a powerful way to build a strong, supportive network. For Janani, a Biomedical Engineering student at UTS and a Peer Career Advisor at UTS Careers, mentoring has been key to expanding her professional connections, gaining fresh perspectives, and shaping her career journey with confidence.

In this interview, Janani shares how she’s built her professional network of industry experts, how she approaches mentoring conversations with intention, and the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way.

What does mentoring mean to you personally?

“Mentoring, for me, is more than just receiving advice, it’s about learning from someone else’s journey and using that to shape my own. It’s a way to gain perspective, ask questions, and understand the different paths I could take.

I’ve found that having multiple mentors, rather than just one, gives me a broader view of what’s possible. That idea actually came from a conversation I had with someone from Unilever at the PPL Forum.”

Who is part of your professional mentoring network, and what do they bring to the table?

“My network is quite diverse. One of my mentors is a recent engineering graduate who finished in 2022, he gives me insight into what the industry looks like right now.

Another is a PhD student in biomedical engineering who has both research and industry experience. They really highlight the importance of upskilling, certifications, and saying yes to opportunities.

I also have an academic mentor I met through my Fundamentals of Biomedical Engineering Studio subject. His career path is quite different from the typical corporate route, and he’s helped me understand alternative career paths.

Then there are a few professors who offer a high-level overview of industry, university life, and research. I also connected with an alumni mentor at an international student event who introduced me to the startup space, commercialization, and venture capital industry, all areas I hadn’t considered before.”

How did you find your mentors – through programs or organically?

“Mostly organically. I’ve met mentors through networking events, or I’ve reached out to them directly through email and LinkedIn. LinkedIn in particular has been a great tool for that. I often start with an informational interview or a casual coffee chat, and sometimes those conversations naturally evolve into mentoring relationships.”

How do you prepare for mentoring sessions?

“I like to do a deep dive into their research or interest areas. I’ll read their recent publications, check out their LinkedIn profiles, and if they’re UTS staff I’ll look at their university profiles to see if they’ve mentored students before. That helps me understand their availability and whether they’ve supervised honours projects or offered volunteering opportunities in their labs.”

What’s the difference between formal and informal mentoring in your experience?

“Formal mentoring is usually more structured. If I’m seeking professional guidance, I try to offer something in return (like helping with a project or volunteering) so it’s a two-way relationship.

Informal mentoring is more organic. It’s built on shared interests and genuine conversations. There’s less pressure, and it often grows naturally over time.”

Have you ever met a mentor at a networking event?

“Yes, definitely. I try to attend as many events as I can – industry nights, panel sessions, society events. At one event called Career Connections: International Students and Alumni, I met a UTS alumnus who works as an implementation analyst in finance. Even though finance isn’t my field, his story really resonated with me. He was an international student like me and had done a lot of volunteering, which led to internships and eventually referrals. That conversation opened my eyes to how engineering skills can be applied in finance, law, consulting and more. It helped me see the bigger picture and understand how my interests could translate into different industries.”

Can you share a time when a casual conversation led to meaningful advice?

“One of my professors gave me some helpful advice during a casual chat. I was asking about what I could do with my degree, and he helped me break down my options and even suggested companies I could reach out to. He also offered to refer me based on my academic performance and our mentoring relationship. That conversation ended up helping me secure my year-long honours project.”

What’s the most valuable advice a mentor has given you?

“One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is to say yes to opportunities, especially early on, so you can start building your portfolio. Another is about how to follow up with mentors: be consistent, not clingy. Share insights, articles, or offer help where you can. It’s about nurturing the relationship.

I’ve also learned that mentorship isn’t a numbers game – it’s an alignment game. You want to connect with people who share your values and goals.

And finally, every conversation is a chance to clarify your direction. Mentoring is about asking for guidance, not just answers.”

Conclusion

Whether you’re just starting to explore mentoring or already building your own network of support, Janani’s story shows how powerful these connections can be. If you’re ready to take the next step in growing your professional network, don’t miss Career Connections: International Students and Alumni on Tuesday 30 September 2025 from 6pm-8pm.

This exciting event is your chance to meet and learn from UTS international alumni who’ve navigated the Australian job market and built thriving careers. Hear their stories, ask questions, and start forming the kinds of meaningful connections that can shape your own career journey.

Join us and start building your network, one conversation at a time.

Featured image courtesy of Unsplash