August 29, 2023

Step UP 2023: Meet Jasmine and Sathish

As part of Step Up, a free six-month program for female students in their penultimate year of university in the UK, Ghana, Germany, Singapore & India, we offer participants access to skills development training, career events and mentorship. Working with our sponsoring businesses, BT Group, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone, we pair our students with mentors to work alongside them for the duration of the program.

As another successful program ended this summer, we caught up with our mentee Jasmine and her mentor Sathish who joined the program from India, to chat about their experience. 

Mentee: Jasmine Anand | Second Year student at Delhi Technological University studying Technology in Mathematics and Computing 

How would you summarise Step UP in three words?

Guidance, growth and empowering. 

How has the program contributed to your career progression?

The StepUp program has truly transformed my life, helping me in many aspects of my personal, academic, and professional journey. I’ve learned about various career options and how to balance my work life with my personal life. This program has given me a lot of valuable knowledge. My mentor has been like a guiding star, showing me how to find the best opportunities and manage my career ambitions and personal life smartly. I’ve learned not only how to succeed but also how to learn from my failures, especially from my mentor. They’ve taught me things like effective communication in business and how to create a strong resume.

But it’s not just about jobs and careers. This program has also helped me become a better person. It’s taught me how to handle challenges in life with courage and determination. My mentor’s advice always keeps me motivated.

In a world of uncertainties, the StepUp program has given me the confidence and skills to face difficulties and stay true to myself. It’s like having wings that allow me not only to succeed in my chosen career path but also to believe in myself and follow my passions.

Can you share your most impactful learnings?

One of the most impactful lessons I’ve gained was experiencing my first rejection from a tech program. At that moment, it felt like the world was crumbling around me. However, my mentor’s unwavering support became a guiding light. They helped me understand that failure is a natural part of life’s journey and not the end of the road. This realization was genuinely transformative.

Their words reassured me that setbacks were stepping stones to success and that even though I stumbled, more opportunities awaited me. This perspective shift helped me cope with that rejection and equipped me with the resilience to face future challenges head-on. This experience reinforced the power of mentorship and its invaluable wisdom, making it a significant and lasting lesson in my life.

What’s next for you?

I envision myself working in dynamic environments, engaged in captivating projects, and surrounded by individuals whose expertise I can absorb. This aligns with my aspiration to continuously learn and grow. I focus on soaking up as much knowledge and experience as possible through software internships or research endeavours.

Hackathons hold a special place in my plan as well. Active participation in various hackathons will challenge me and hone my problem-solving and teamwork skills. These experiences contribute to my goal of pursuing my passions while making a meaningful impact on my community and the wider world.

In these coming years, my journey will be one of dedication, learning, and meaningful contributions. I aspire to become a skilled professional who can leverage technical prowess, effective communication, and collaborative expertise to create positive change. 

Mentor: Sathish Sankarraj | Business Analyst at Vodafone India 

How would you summarize the program?

 I greatly appreciate the program and enjoyed the experience every step of the way! 

What skills did you gain or improve from being a mentor?

 I improved several personal skills as a mentor, including responsibility, effective communication, and accountability. 

Which element of the Step UP program did you enjoy most?

 I enjoyed everything! But, if I have to choose one thing, it would be the live events throughout the program.  

If you’re feeling inspired to become a mentee in our 2024 Step UP program applications are now open here