Since joining the Global Mentorship Initiative (GMI) as a volunteer mentor in August 2024, I have come to see mentorship not just as giving back, but as a two-way street of growth, learning, and genuine human connection. During my time as a mentor, I have had the privilege of mentoring talented young professionals through GMI — and honestly, I have gained just as much as I have given.
As an individual who has committed to coaching and mentoring students from all walks of life, my role as a GMI mentor enables me to amplify my impact beyond Lifesong Kenya. In addition to adding value to university students, my role has enabled me to gain valuable skills as a Co-Active Coach, Narrative Guide and Mentor.
“The (Global Mentorship Iniatiative) partnership enables sustained, skills‑based volunteering with clear impact for both learners and mentors. There’s also a strong storytelling element, which is an excellent support for either internal or external comms.”
Katrina Enros, Senior Social Impact Manager, Employee & Community Programs, LinkedIn
What the Global Mentorship Initiative Does
The Global Mentorship Initiative connects underrepresented young professionals, university students and refugee learners with volunteer mentors through a structured virtual program. The initiative aims at bridging the gap between graduation and their internship or first career job opportunity. With over 17,000 program graduates and mentors in its global community, GMI is creating an impactful ripple effect across the workforce.
I like how the Global Mentorship Iniative program is beautifully structured. The first thing that I like is the easy-to-follow 12 weeks’ guide. Each of the 12 mentorship sessions comes with a concise mentor guide. As a mentor, you are never left wondering “what do I talk about this week?” You meet with your mentee by video chat for about an hour weekly, spend 15 minutes on a follow-up email, and 20–30 minutes reviewing session materials. That’s less than 2 hours per week for 12 weeks, which is a small investment with outsized returns.
The second thing that I like is how easy it is to become a mentor. This means that you don’t need to be an expert in your field to become a great mentor. All you need to do is have a heart for offering guidance who need someone who has walked the journey. And the best part is that you will keep learning alongside your mentee, which is a win-win for both of you.
How Global Mentorship Initiative is Impacting Me
The third thing that I like about the Global Mentorship Initiative program is the structured and easy-to-follow curriculum. This ensures that all students receive the same content, while making it easy for anyone to make life-changing impact as a volunteer mentor. I am personally learning a lot of valuable lessons and insights that I am incorporating into my daily work with children and young people.
I am also gaining a lot of leadership and interpersonal skills, which would not have been possible if I was not engaged as a Global Mentorship Initiative mentor. Each week and session brings a new pespective that transforms my personal life, leadership and work with young people and their families. Overall, my role as a GMI mentor has significantly transformed the way I show up in other areas of my life.
How GMI Mentorship Impacts Students
One of my biggest take-aways from the mentorship sessions I have had so far is the impact of mentorship on the lives of students. The mentee receives lessons that go beyond careers, internships and their professional growth. The weekly sessions shapes how theyI think, how they approach challenges and how they continue growing as leaders and as individuals. Here’s a testimonial from one of my mentees:-
“When I first became a Global Mentorship Initiative menteee, I expected to gain a mentor who would help me with my career. What I didn’t expect was to meet someone who would have such a positive impact on my life, my personality and the way I see myself and my future. Thank you for every conversation, every piece of advice, every challenge and every moment of encouragement. You never felt like just a mentor to me. Somewhere along the way, you became a friend whose meetings I genuinely looked forward to, not because they were scheduled, but because I always left them feeling inspired, understood and motivated to become a better version of myself.”
F. A., University Student
Here’s the number that shows the kind of impact that the GMI mentership program. 74% of Global Mentorship Initiative mentees are employed within six months of completing the mentorship program. These aren’t just statistics and numbers. It is a testament of lives that have been impacted, families who have been supported and communities that have been strengthened. As a mentor, you also earn a GMI Mentor Certificate, which is a tangible recognition of your contribution and return of investment.
Ready to Become a GMI Mentor?
Whether you’re a professional who wants to give back, or an organization that is seeking for structured volunteering opportunities for your team, the Global Mentorship Initiative offers a partnership model that delivers sustained impact. The program supports UN Sustainable Development Goals including Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequalities — aligning your volunteer hours with global progress.
Ready to Join?
Becoming a GMI mentor takes just a few simple steps. It is a straigh-forward process that includes registration, a 20-minute orientation, passing a background check, get paired with your mentee, and starting meeting weekly. The good this is you will not walk this journey alone. The GMI team sends regular check-in emails to support you throughout the mentorship journey.
👉 Register here: Be a Mentor – Global Mentorship Initiative
If you’re passionate about guiding the next generation and leveraging your professional experience for meaningful global impact, now is your chance. Join me — and thousands of other mentors who are already giving back in a meaningful way — in making a difference, one mentorship session at a time. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to have a conversation about the benefits of signing up as a Global Mentorship Initiative mentor.
