The Value of a Good Mentor: Unlocking Transformative Growth

"A good mentor empowers you to become the best version of yourself."

I’m Chili, a Taiwanese student majoring in Business Management at QUT and currently working as a financial advisor assistant (intern) at Solomons Financial Group. I didn’t have any academic background or work experience in Finance before. Interestingly, my mentor Nipuna is the business owner of an IT consulting company FONSEKA, and isn't from the financial industry either. Curious about how Nipuna empowers me to achieve great outcomes through the QUT Mentoring Program? In this article, I will share the four key values of a good mentor that have transformed my journey

1. Trustworthy and Inclusive

Mentorship is facilitated by trust. A good mentor is always trustworthy and creates a safe space for mentees to share their personal backgrounds, situations, and career uncertainties without fear of judgment. Moreover, a good mentor can also walk in mentees’ shoes regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or age.

As a person who gets used to sharing only a selective part of myself, Nipuna makes me feel safe enough to open up about my stories, opinions, and even my career concerns. Despite coming from different cultural backgrounds, my mentor understands what I truly believe—not just the words I say—better than most people I’ve encountered. As an assistant financial advisor, I believe trust is fundamental to any consulting and advisory business, including FONSEKA. Trustworthy and inclusive are fundamental but essential values of a good mentorship.

2. Perspective and Wisdom

Our potential in life often exceeds what we believe is possible. A good mentor usually helps mentees broaden their perspective, guiding them to see the big picture of their career path, whether mentees have specific career goals in mind. Furthermore, they share their wisdom, often drawn from diverse experiences that can be applied across industries and roles.

As a student who begins to work in the industry, I’ve noticed a significant gap between the way university students and industry professionals think. QUT mentoring program provides a good opportunity to bridge the gap. Nipuna assists me in bridging the gap, and better communicating with my colleagues and boss. Additionally, he always gives me potential career options more than I imagined, including fields of finance, positions, and countries, based on his understanding of the market and myself. FinTech is one of my choices which is highly aligned with the future of financial advisory. A mentor with a broad perspective and insightful wisdom has the power to unlock transformative growth in their mentees.

3. Motivation and Inspiration

People need inspiration, and good stories have the power to inspire. Nipuna, with his extensive academic background and global work experience. His stories are inspiring for a girl who is keen to become a global talent. His experiences, especially how he overcame barriers to move forward, motivate me profoundly. A good mentor serves as a role model, providing both motivation and guidance to mentees when they face obstacles in life.

4. Perpetual Guidance

Mentorship is an ongoing relationship between mentors and mentees. Unlike a one-time consultation, a good mentorship provides guidance that evolves with the mentee’s journey, driving long-term career success while adapting to continuous change. The advice is not limited to career, can also include something about our mental health and daily life. Relationship-driven approaches are always emphasised in the consulting business.

Nipuna said he still contacts his mentees he worked with many years ago. A mentor’s perpetual guidance is not just about giving answers but empowering mentees to think critically and make informed decisions. It’s this ongoing relationship that transforms mentorship into a lasting source of growth and inspiration.

A Good Mentor

Mentorship is more than guidance—it’s a journey of growth, trust, and inspiration. A good mentor helps you see beyond your limitations, bridges gaps in your thinking and empowers you to dream bigger and achieve more. Looking back, I’m grateful for Nipuna's trust, wisdom, and encouragement. Whether you’re seeking a mentor or hoping to be one, remember: that great mentorship isn’t about providing answers—it’s about inspiring and empowering others to unlock their full potential.