Mentoring is a powerful tool for anyone seeking personal and professional improvement. It allows us to connect with others, learn from their experiences, and work together to achieve our goals.
In the case of the latest round of our Professional Mentorship Programme for Foreigners, this idea has definitely proven to be true.
The Programme, as its name suggests, is aimed at supporting foreigners in finding employment in their areas of training and expanding their professional networks. It enabled participants to acquire new knowledge, learn from one another, connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and ultimately, significantly impact many lives.
At its heart is inclusiveness and a strong sense of community. While Think Africa’s activities are mainly focused on the African community in Finland, our Mentorship Programme is open to people of foreign background of all nationalities and industries, because we believe that everybody deserves a chance to succeed.
“We want to support people in their job-seeking journey. From those who are underemployed and would like to find a job that matches their professional and educational background, to fresh graduates and those considering a career change after moving to Finland”, says Programme Coordinator Sofia Achame-Räisänen.
As someone who understands the transformative power of mentorship firsthand, Sofia is well-placed to guide our initiative. Reflecting on her own journey, she shared, ‘I, myself, have been a part of two mentorship programs that have given me mentors who supported my job search and gave me information on opportunities I would not have seen or noticed otherwise.'”
Programme Overview:
Think Africa launched its Mentorship Programme in 2019 in response to the challenges many foreigners face when seeking employment in Finland. Although they may have the qualifications, experience and training, they often lack the networks and connections essential to landing a job.
The program consists of a holistic approach to support and empower foreigners who are unemployed and underemployed in Finland. The program lasts three to five months and combines one-on-one mentor-mentee meetings, expert-led training sessions, and peer support groups.
In the last concluded Spring round (March-June 2023), 29 mentors and mentees were matched. Out of 29, 19 mentees were people of African descent. The mentors were professionals from various industries who volunteered their time and expertise to guide and support their mentees in navigating the Finnish job market. Fields of interest included marketing and communications, business and HR fields, IT/software development, engineering, and teaching, among others. Some mentees who are new to Finland have also been looking for a general type of mentorship in the Finnish labour market.
By bringing experts on topics relevant to working life in Finland, the workshops benefitted all participants, mentors included. This can be observed by the large number of mentors attending workshops mainly meant for mentees. Much like networking, continuous learning and self-development do not stop when one lands a job.
Impact on Participants
As mentee Charity Kamau shared, “My mentor helped me a lot. I felt like I won the jackpot with her. She helped me be more confident in marketing myself and my skills, and I learned how to network and search for jobs. Our relationship was amazing. She was really there for me throughout. She listened and genuinely helped me. She was just perfect for me as she and I were in the same career field, and even up to date, we are still in touch, even after the program ended. I got to know that I am not alone, and I have a community willing and ready to work with me.”
The expert-led training sessions provided mentees with valuable insights into job search strategies on relevant topics such as personal branding, well-being as a job seeker, networking, as well as information on services for immigrants from programme partners such as SIMHE and Väestöliitto.
Among the enriching training sessions offered, one that particularly stood out was the one focused on personal branding and digital presence in Finland.
Led by DEI expert Kamilla Sultanova, it emphasised the evolving nature of job-seeking in 2023 and the importance of aligning personal values with dignity in the professional realm. Attendees learned the power of consistent social media use, particularly on LinkedIn, as a means to showcase their professional identity. Moreover, the session highlighted the wealth of resources available in Finland, from mentoring programs to CV clinics, emphasising the value of community-building and self-improvement.
Furthermore, some of these trainings were organised as open events, allowing for the knowledge to reach a wider audience.
The program proved beneficial to both mentees and mentors. Not only did it offer a gratifying experience for the mentors when they see their mentee’s progress, but to mentor Jukka Toivanen, it is also “a good way to deepen professional skills as you will reflect on your lessons learned in the profession.”
Additionally, given the stressful nature of job seeking, the peer support groups tackled this issue by offering participants a safe space to share their experiences, challenges, and successes with others in similar situations. Thus reinforcing the feeling of belonging that we seek to instil in our mentees, facilitating their professional integration in Finland.
“This program gave me some sort of feeling of being included, or feeling of belonging, or a way of understanding that there are a lot of people, organisations, and the state interested in immigrants being employed and finding the best opportunities where we can be useful”, says mentee Ilkhom Khalimzoda.
Building Professional Networks:
One key aspect of the program was its focus on helping participants build their professional networks. By connecting mentees with industry experts and other professionals within their fields, the program facilitated the development of solid relationships by creating a platform that could lead to jobs, internships and any opportunities. Relationships were built with various companies and organisations like Amnesty International Finland, Cambri, F-Secure, Finland Relocation Services, International Working Women of Finland, Måndag, and Startup Refugees, among others.
Some participants have reported securing job interviews, and even job offers through the connections they made in the program. However, the accurate scale of the impact will be assessed months after the closing.
Success Stories:
One compelling success story within the program is Ramona Larsen’s journey. Originally from Uganda, Ramona relocated to Finland with her husband, leaving her career behind.
Determined to rekindle her professional path, she joined Think Africa’s mentorship programme after completing a digital marketing course. During the program, Ramona worked closely with her mentor, Sara Hakkonen, an experienced marketer.
She says, “On a personal level, the match was inspirational. I was worried about having been away from the corporate sector since I moved to Finland in 2015, but she inspired me in the sense that she told me that she was doing marketing for an international company without having studied marketing and without having a big network in the field when starting. Yet, she is excelling at it. So, it really made me believe that despite having been out of work for a long time, I can still find my feet again and excel. It doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the world for me.”
Ramona’s journey, fuelled by Sara’s mentorship, culminated in her recent employment at Luckan, underscoring that with the proper support and determination, career transitions are achievable.
Next Round, Revamped Programme
Overall, the mentorship program has had a significant impact, equipping participants with newfound confidence, valuable skills, and essential networks for their job search journey. These tangible outcomes have not only transformed individual lives but have also contributed to the larger narrative of diversity and inclusion in the Finnish workplace.
Participants have reported feeling more confident and empowered in their job search endeavours, thanks to the mentorship program’s guidance and support. By honing their skills and expanding their professional networks, mentees are better prepared to navigate the competitive job market and secure meaningful employment opportunities.
Now, onto the next round starting this month, with an opening ceremony on the 18th.
The programme has been revamped and is now called Think Career. It aims to build on the foundation of success laid by its previous iterations. With each new cycle, Think Africa’s mentorship programme continues to empower individuals, foster inclusivity, and contribute to a more diverse and vibrant Finnish workforce.
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