AMA VICDOC Spring 2023 - Magazine - Page 38
PERSPECTIVE:
i am a
mentee
DR NANCY SAAB
HMO3
38
"My mentoring relationship
has demonstrated the
value of having an
appropriate support
network especially
when making
significant decisions."
Going into this program,
what did you hope to get
out of it?
What do you think is
the 'secret' to a good
mentoring relationship?
How has mentoring
changed your professional
or personal life?
I started the mentoring program
whilst on maternity leave as I was
struggling to navigate my future
career pathway. I had always
wanted to do O&G but after
having my second child I started
second guessing my decision.
I began to weigh up my career
aspirations and considered lifestyle
factors and how this could impact
my family.
As I was navigating the AMA
Victoria website for guidance with
my CV writing, I came across
the Mentoring Program and after
getting in touch I was linked up
with a mentor best suited to my
‘profile’. After three months, I
feel like I have made significant
progress with regards to my career
indecision and getting involved
in research.
I have had several mentoring
relationships in the past, however
none of them have been as
successful as this one for me.
The main difference is that I
have started this relationship with
defined goals. I took some time to
think about what I really wanted
to gain and also to think about
what I had to offer.
Writing down my goals gave
my mentor and myself a basic
guide for our meetings and made
me feel accountable in some
ways. The transparency in my
progress has allowed a more
open relationship in which I feel
comfortable asking for guidance
when I get stuck. My mentor
has mirrored my efforts by being
an excellent listener as well as
following my progress closely and
making suggestions as required.
My mentoring relationship
has demonstrated the value of
having an appropriate support
network especially when making
significant decisions. Having
someone more senior available
to listen to you and help you ask
the right questions can be what
is needed to guide you along the
right path or to flag warning
signs, if necessary. For myself,
I made some major well-informed
career decisions which will
impact both my professional
and personal life.
AMA VI C TO RIA
