Make the Most of It: Building Confidence and Network as an Engineer
Nicole is an Apprentice Civil Engineer who joined the Helios x Aleto mentoring programme after being a delegate on the Aston Martin x Aleto Scheme. She wanted to go deeper — building confidence and network without the pressure of exams and job applications sitting alongside it.
What Drew Her to the Programme
Nicole's previous mentoring experience had been focused largely on university choices and career decisions at the end of sixth form. She wanted something different this time — space to develop her confidence and professional network without the added pressure of exams or applications running in parallel. She came with high expectations of her mentor, based on Helios's reputation, and those expectations were met and exceeded.
"The programme met and exceeded my expectations in terms of how well I was matched up with a like-minded mentor and how well we got on together from the very first session."
The Experience
Nicole found the mentoring sessions the most valuable part of the programme, though she also appreciated the check-up calls — hearing how other mentees were getting on with their sessions gave her new perspective and a sense of shared experience across the cohort.
As she shared more about her career goals, her mentor encouraged her to attend more events and build her network. That encouragement led directly to one of Nicole's proudest moments: she had the confidence to apply to join the early careers committee of the Institution of Civil Engineers — and was successful.
Just getting the world-view of someone from a completely different background and industry was the most valuable aspect. Having insight into how my mentor views success and how she built her network was a key positive part of the experience.
Her Advice
Nicole's advice to future participants is straightforward but carries real weight: make the most of the experience. Ask all the questions that come into your head — your mentor signed up to answer them. And as the sessions wind down, don't rush straight to the next opportunity. Spend time reflecting on what you've learned and how you'll apply it over the months ahead.