We are pleased to present the first testimonial from the Mentor&Me program involving an international mentee. This extraordinarily positive experience saw Melissa, a Lebanese student, and Alberto, an Italian professional, embark on a journey of mutual growth that allowed them to enrich themselves with unique perspectives that transcend national boundaries.
Hello, my name is Melissa Kozhaya (linkedin.com/in/kozhaya-melissa/), and I am from Lebanon. I graduated from the University of Padova (UniPD) with a Master's degree in Environmental Geology and Earth Dynamics in September 2024, and I am currently pursuing a PhD program focused on nanoplastic and the co-transport of contaminants in soil and water at UniPD. Additionally, I am a member of a NGO in Lebanon called Ana Khayyak - Roy Hamouche, which is dedicated to empowering and spreading love and nonviolence among underserved, abused, and marginalized children and youth. Being part of this growing organization has deeply influenced my personal and professional values.
Participating in the Mentor&Me program has been one of the most transformative experiences of my academic and professional journey. Alberto didn’t just provide guidance; he walked beside me during pivotal moments of my life, from the intense final months of my master’s degree to the challenging first three months of my PhD program. His unwavering support and encouragement became a source of strength as I navigated these transitions.
During our conversations, I often shared experiences related to my work with “Ana Khayyak”. These discussions allowed us to connect on a deeper level and provided a unique opportunity for mutual learning. While Alberto shared valuable insights on navigating professional life, I also shared how my work with the NGO shaped my views on leadership, empathy, and social responsibility. This exchange of ideas helped me appreciate how both professional and personal experiences can contribute to shaping a holistic approach to success.
One of the most valuable aspects of this mentorship was the chance to reflect on cultural differences, especially in professional settings. Coming from Lebanon, in my personal experience, where work often focuses on earning a living and having fun may feel secondary, I found Alberto’s approach in Italy refreshing. He showed me how to balance hard work with enjoyment, reminding me that success is not just about results but also about finding joy in the process. This perspective helped me align my professional aspirations with personal well-being. Navigating professional networks in Lebanon can also be challenging due to a sense of formality or guardedness. Alberto emphasized the value of trust and rapport, offering advice that made networking feel more natural. He encouraged me to view cultural differences as strengths, shaping how I approach connections today.
Beyond emotional support, Alberto offered invaluable practical insights. During our discussions, he helped me understand key professional topics, such as crafting an impactful CV, building a strong LinkedIn profile, and navigating networking in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world. He introduced me to the importance of aligning personal values with career decisions and provided tools to evaluate opportunities holistically, balancing growth, financial considerations, and workplace culture.
Through our conversations, I also gained a deeper appreciation for cultural differences and how they shape professional interactions. For instance, learning about employment contracts in Italy or discussing the concept of "total rewards" gave me a fresh perspective on aligning my goals with the realities of different workplaces. These discussions not only expanded my professional toolkit but also encouraged me to view cultural diversity as an asset in my career.
The Mentor&Me program has been a cornerstone of my development, and I am deeply grateful for the profound impact Alberto has had on my journey. His encouragement to pursue my work with fun, aim for the future, and remain curious has left an indelible mark on both my personal and professional outlook. To anyone considering this program: the guidance and encouragement you’ll receive are invaluable, not only for your professional path but for personal growth as well.
Hi, my name is Alberto Valente, graduated in Geology from UniPD in ’05, after which I continued my studies at UniMI and Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business. For the last 16 years, I’ve been working for a multinational Energy Technology Company in various roles, from operations to sales and management.
In the recent years I had the opportunity to be both a Mentee and a Mentor in my organization. And I encourage everyone to try this experience, on BOTH ROLES! it’s energizing, fulfilling, and most importantly…fun! For me, mentorship is about giving back, learning from different perspectives, and building meaningful relationships. I wanted to try it outside of my company and the UniPD Mentorship Program Mentor&Me gave me this opportunity. Go UniPD! This program is awesome!
In simple words: It was great!
Let me expand a bit more. The journey Melissa and I did together was truly energizing! Yes, by definition “mentorship is a meaningful relationship where a more experienced person helps and supports someone with less experience”. But it is -truly- way more than that! It’s growing and learning together. It’s caring for each other and being open to discovery!
For future mentors out there! Be prepared, be serious and committed and put all your energies into it because the journey is exciting, but you shouldn’t underestimate it!
Melissa started this journey in a pivotal moment of her career, since she was 100% taken by the M.Sc. thesis and Ph.D. submission and I was also committed with tasks at work (who is not?). Yet, we set ground rules and Melissa demonstrated impressive leadership skills in setting clear objectives, timeline, and communication paths. And as the sessions went by, I realized how quickly and profoundly we were connecting. We shared interests and strengths, we talked about our cultural differences and similarities, we had enriching discussions on how to grow personally and professionally. I felt something "clicked" in the 4th session (halfway through our 8 meetings, even though the program required a minimum of 6) when we were discussing networking and the idea of "Givers & Takers".
I realized how Melissa was being successful in creating a supportive, authentic environment where we could safely open up for questions, doubts, and mutual suggestions. In that moment, I realized how much I was growing as a person with Melissa bringing fresh ideas, her perspectives from the NGO in Lebanon and her academic experience in Padova. In that moment, the purpose and true essence of Mentoring became clearer to me: learn together, grow together, and connect with each other to unlock our deepest, inner selves.
It was a great journey and I really look forward to strengthening the connection with Melissa. To keep the network strong and in good shape, we need to nurture it! I wish Melissa to fulfill her personal and professional goals: the trusted, respectful and deep connection I experienced in this journey will stay with me forever!
Do you want to share your own Mentor&Me journey? Your story could inspire others! Write to us at Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo. and tell us about your experience
