At the beginning of the year, for Alexandria Masters the world was her oyster. She had graduated with a business degree in marketing from Monash University and was on the hunt for full time work. Of course, after March everything changed.
“It was already difficult to find full time work (before COVID-19 made itself felt), so I joined the HACCI (Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Mentoring Program as a good way to get guidance for the transition from university to work,” said Alex Masters.
Ms Masters knew of the program through her mother who works for Andreas Andrianopoulos’ AA Holdings. Her sister had also taken part in the program, so she was aware of its benefits when she became a member of HACCI – one of the preconditions for enrolling in the mentoring program.
Considering what has come to pass with the rise of the COVID-19 spectre, joining the program was one of the best things the young graduate could have done. Although she has never met her mentor, Alex Christou, in person, she has benefited online from his experience.
Mr Christou is the Managing Director and Program Facilitator for Thrive Global in the Asia-Pacific region. Created by Ariana Huffington, Thrive Global is dedicated to countering the stress and burnout epidemic and promoting wellbeing in the work environment.
The rise of COVID-19 has added another dimension to the work environment as we know it and Mr Christou is a great help in finding a way through this strange new world. But as much as he has to offer as a volunteer mentor, Mr Christou said he has also learnt much from his protégé.
“What is not often considered are the reverse rewards in mentoring such as gaining an understanding of digital issues or learning about what this (Ms Masters’) generation think.
“The mentoring I provide is about access to networks and sharing work experiences. I also work to ensure that when Alex goes out into the world, she goes without fear.
“We keep hearing about how the economy is down and how tough it is. I want to encourage her to be proactive and to persevere fearlessly.
Part of the program’s aim is to strengthen her mindset and help to prepare her CVs, cover letters and her personal profile. One way of building his “mentee’s” confidence was to challenge her beliefs in herself. Research in the neurosciences and neuroplasticity showed that an individual’s mindset could develop in the right direction and away from a perception of “I am not good enough”.
Mr Christou was full of praise for his protégé: “She has a growth mindset and we need this in the world right now. It is easy to be overwhelmed and feel in a state of paralysis.
“Here is a woman taking stock and taking control of her self-development,” he said.
He added that the current will have also given her the opportunity to reflect on the purpose and values of the organisation she wants to align herself with.
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“You cannot do that unless you ask yourself what you stand for and want makes for greater fulfilment and sense of purpose,” said Mr Christou.
As part of the effort to help Ms Masters define what she is seeking, her mentor says he is committed to finding her placements within her field so that she learns which aspects of marketing she would prefer.
“From my studies, I became very interested in digital marketing and brand management. But I need hands-on experience,” said Ms Masters.
Ms Masters said her university learning experience had been focused on professional development but the mentor program had helped with her personal development.
“I am more open to the possibilities out there and Alex (Christou) has achieved great things in the world and I have learnt from his guidance.
“Early in the program we brainstormed a lot, looked at my values and what was important for me in my work. We looked at organisations I could work for and would not have considered before.
“When things become more normal, the world will not be the same and there will be big differences in the way businesses operate,” she said.
Mr Christou said that in his role with Ms Masters he had gained valuable insights into the qualities of the coming generation.
“They have a strong social conscience that they need to articulate and they want to define their purpose to make a difference and create a better world. They think more broadly than just about remuneration. Our job is to equip them to succeed and to create a better world.”