Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Nahian, and when I first started mentoring, I was in Year Nine. At that time, I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do with my future. I knew I loved acting and doing practical things, but beyond that, it all felt a bit blurry. Honestly, I think I’m still figuring some of it out even now!

Was there something you were facing that you asked your mentor to help you with?

Definitely. Careers were a huge thing on my mind. I had so many different interests – acting, practical work, different industries – but no real sense of direction. I felt a bit conflicted and overwhelmed. I wasn’t sure which path to take, so I reached out for help. Through mentoring sessions, we explored different school options and career paths, both inside and outside of the traditional routes. Over time, I gained a much clearer sense of where I might want to go. Right now, I'm thinking about doing Public Services next year, which would help me work toward joining the Metropolitan Police. I'm also considering becoming an electrician or maybe even a train driver. Those are some of the options on my mind. At the start, when we first met, I actually said I wanted to be a millionaire! Which, you know, isn’t a bad goal at all. But [my mentor] Ronan helped me realise that while it’s great to have big dreams, you have to think about the steps you need to take to actually get there. You don't just wake up one day and find yourself a millionaire. It's about building your path, one step at a time.

How did your mentor help you on your journey?

Ronan really helped me explore different careers and gave me a better understanding of my options. We worked on timetables and planning my days better, especially when it came to managing stress. I used to find my days really overwhelming, but having a structured timetable made things feel a lot easier to handle. One session that stuck with me was toward the end of last year. It was actually our final session. We talked about how to balance different parts of my life — like school, career ambitions, and my religious commitments. That conversation helped me realise how important it is to keep balance in my life. Sometimes it’s tough to prioritise everything, but that session gave me real tools to do it better.

What do you feel is the best thing that’s changed for you because of mentoring?

Ronan taught me that it’s not always best to run away from problems. Sometimes, you just have to walk right into them, confront them head-on. And while it’s definitely scary at first, once you start dealing with your challenges, it actually feels a lot better. Now, I’m more confident, more focused in my studying, and overall just feel stronger in how I manage life.