When Zainab moved to Canberra from Pakistan, she brought impressive credentials—a Political Science and History degree and extensive experience in journalism, policy research, and social development initiatives. She had contributed to projects advancing policy reform and community development, with a passion for creating impact in areas like education equity and women’s economic empowerment.
But despite her strong background in research, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination, arriving in Australia with no established professional network presented new challenges as she sought to translate her skills into the local communications landscape.
That’s when she discovered the IABC Canberra mentor program.
“I didn’t really have that kind of professional network [in Canberra]… so when I saw the mentorship program being advertised, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to talk to someone in the same kind of work and get guidance on the career I want to pursue,” she says.
A Thought-Provoking Partnership
Zainab was paired with her mentor, Rowena Morais, and they met once a month for structured, 40-minute sessions. While Rowena took the lead early on, Zainab soon found herself stepping up to drive the relationship.
“I felt adequately heard and also adequately guided. It wasn’t a lecture—it was a dialogue. Rowena would ask questions that really made me think. Thought-provoking is the word I’d use for most of our sessions,” she says.
This dynamic gave Zainab the confidence to prepare, bring questions to each meeting, and treat the experience as a two-way investment.
Building Confidence and Finding Her Voice
One of the biggest breakthroughs came when Rowena encouraged Zainab to craft her elevator pitch.
“Honestly, I didn’t know what an elevator pitch was before I spoke to Rowena. Now I have a couple I can mix and match and use for different people. That was so valuable,” she explains.
Through the program, Zainab also refined her professional profile, gained strategies to approach recruiters, and rediscovered her writing practice. More importantly, she began to value her own perspective and speak with greater confidence.
The Value of Mentorship
For Zainab, having someone outside her immediate network was particularly powerful.
“With a mentor, you know they’re speaking in your best interest. They have your goals in mind and give you a realistic perspective,” she reflects.
She describes the experience as “transformative, thought-provoking, insightful, and valuable.”
Advice for Future Mentees
Zainab encourages anyone considering the program to approach it with openness and a collaborative spirit.
“From the get-go, be open-minded and have a positive, collaborative attitude. That’s what maximises the potential of mentorship. Go in with questions and be ready to receive feedback—you can’t be shut off to the idea of changing yourself for the better.”
Ready to Unlock Your Full Professional Potential?
Whether you’re looking to build confidence, refine your career strategy, or develop stronger professional relationships, our mentoring program provides the personalised guidance and accountability that makes the difference between hoping for change and creating it.
Applications for our next six-month program are now open. Learn more and apply or contact us if you have questions.