This is a guest blog by RWSN mentee Arra Clarize Jose and RWSN mentor Aline Saraiva Okello, Ph.D.
Overview
I discovered RWSN Mentoring Program as I was browsing career enhancement opportunities online. As a professional with humble experience in the water sector and in the early stage of my career, I always wanted to find a mentor who can help me navigate my profession and share experiences. It was quite difficult at the start of the mentoring program as some of the mentors were already committed to other mentees. The mentee pool is relatively huge but luckily, I connected with Aline, a fellow water professional in the program. The mentoring program unfolded over a six-month duration, focusing on cultivating expertise in water management and engineering, social and management skills, career path guidance, and network building. The agreed-upon mentoring activities were executed within a structured framework that catered to monthly meetings and specific objectives aimed at achieving learning goals.
Learning Goals
We identified the following learning objectives:
- Seeking counsel on career paths:
- Humanitarian/fieldwork for WASH
- Policy and governance concerning climate change and water
- Pursuing academia (Master’s Degree)
- Building a robust professional network within these domains.
- Balancing career and life as a young expert
Mentoring Experience
Aline was the perfect mentor for me as she can relate to my experience. In this career stage, professionals like us are usually thinking about different paths we want to pursue, and with multiple milestones we plan to achieve, we end up being overwhelmed. In reality, such urge and energy to achieve goals may be exhausting and even daunting at times. We shared similar experiences, which made her guidance more relatable and valuable.
Navigating this stage of our careers often feels like juggling multiple possibilities, each with its own set of challenges. Aline’s insights helped me make sense of this complexity. She understood the struggle of balancing aspirations with the practicalities of achieving them.
The mentoring journey with Aline wasn’t just about setting targets and reaching them; it was about finding a balance. She emphasized the importance of pacing oneself, taking one step at a time, and ensuring that the pursuit of goals doesn’t overshadow personal well-being. At the same time, proper planning and diversion of priorities should also be taken into consideration especially when some things are not progressing according to plans and expectations.
Aline’s support and advice highlighted the significance of taking breaks, reassessing priorities, and acknowledging that it’s alright to adjust our plans as we go along. Her wisdom provided a much-needed perspective shift, reminding me that success isn’t solely measured by reaching milestones but also by finding fulfillment and balance in the journey.
The mentoring journey under Aline’s guidance wasn’t merely about professional growth; it was a holistic approach, acknowledging that our careers are only one aspect of our lives. It encouraged a reflection on self-care, personal values, and the importance of staying connected to what truly matters amid the pursuit of career goals.
Outcomes and Progress
The outcomes of the mentoring program are evident, some are listed below:
- During the program, I was actively applying for some jobs and scholarships that could open opportunities for me. Noteworthy highlights included the mentor’s insights into CV enhancement and LinkedIn profile refinement, which helped me land some offers from organizations I applied.
- I was able to access opportunities/forums such as World Water Week and MOOC courses that helped me increase my knowledge in the water sector.
- Learning about taking breaks, reassessing priorities, and being flexible in plans. This shift in perspective highlighted that success isn’t just about milestones but also about finding fulfillment in the journey.
My mentor expressed satisfaction and enthusiasm for our collaborative achievement of all our goals.
In summary, the RWSN mentoring program proved to be highly engaging, educational, interactive, and well-coordinated. Our gratitude extends to the organizers and sponsors for providing this valuable platform.
About the mentee and mentor
Arra Clarize Jose is a chartered civil engineer based in the Philippines, a former Water and Habitat Engineer of International Committee of the Red Cross and currently part of the UK-Med WASH Engineer Register Team. Her professional interests are centered on water engineering and her commitment to WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiatives reflects her dedication to improving livelihoods and fostering resilient communities, showcasing her as a proactive force in the field of civil engineering and humanitarian aid.
Aline Saraiva Okello is a water expert, with a PhD and MSc in Hydrology and Water Resources from IHE/TU-Delft, Netherlands. Aline is Mozambican, currently living in Kenya, and has a wide experience in consulting, research and entrepreneur capacity in the water sector ranging from water resources management to water supply and sanitation, in both urban and rural spaces. Aline works as the global network manager of the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN), hosted by the Skat Foundation (Switzerland) and as a short-term consultant to the World Bank Water East Africa Region Practice (Mozambique).
To join RWSN and be informed about the next round of the mentoring programme, please sign up here.
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