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The Amazing Circle of Mentorship

by | Jan 31, 2023 | Inspiration, News

In 2022 TechBae and BBBS of NYC partnered for a second Career Pathways cohort; pairing mentors from TechBae’s network of inspiring professional women with soon-to-be college graduates enrolled in BBBS. In honor of Mentorship Awareness Month, we’re sharing the story of two inspirational participants, Jocelyn Espinal, and Kathleen Scott-Dowell. Their intertwined stories, full of courage and vulnerable strength, will leave you inspired.

This is what the next generation of TechBaes looks like and we are all better for it! Thank you to Jocelyn and Kathleen and to all our mentors and mentees

The Amazing Circle of Mentorship

Jocelyn Espinal Mentorship Journey
Ten years ago when I was a high school student, I joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters Workplace Mentoring program at Avon. My mentor was exceptional and taught me the value of hard work. At least twice a month I was able to visit the Avon office and learn about resume building, interview prep, email etiquette, how to find jobs, and even how to dress for my success. Mentorship had a remarkable impact on my professional development, and what it means to empower other women.

I gained so much from my relationship with my mentor; the invaluable impact on my self-confidence and how to identify my skills and apply them to achieve my goals. It has always been a personal goal of mine to pay it forward and one day serve as a mentor. I was ecstatic upon learning about the BBBS Career and College Success program through TechBae.

As a mentor, it is important to me to now teach about networking skills and career exploration. I hope to empower my little to find a space in the field of her dreams. This program focuses on resume building and opportunities so mentees can have the tools to best prepare them for the future.

My participation as a mentor has been rewarding, as I did not realize how much I would gain from the experience as well. My mentee (Kathleen!)  is resilient, ambitious, and inspirational. I hope to continue the legacy of the BBBS program and inspire young people the way my mentor impacted my professional career.

Kathleen Scott-Dowell Mentorship Journey
For 14 years, I have been a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters. At 9 years old my father enrolled me and my siblings in the program. One of the reasons why my father enrolled us in the BBBS program was because 4 years prior, my mother passed away from breast cancer and in 2010 my grandmother suddenly passed away. Losing both major staples in my life drastically changed how me and all of my siblings grew up. My father felt that having a mentor figure in our lives would help us open up and further develop in different ways and experience new endeavors.

The support I received early on as a child has shaped me into a leader that I want to pass on to other youths that have faced similar obstacles and challenges. In my senior year of high school, I participated in BBBS’ summer camp program where I had the opportunity to mentor young girls. My mentees had similar backgrounds as me and I was able to provide them with guidance, support, and confidence. Mentoring these young ladies through hardships, success, and life made me feel empowered, and liberated which inspired me to continue with more opportunities BBBS offered.

My mentor (Jocelyn!) is supportive, informative, and courageous and has inspired me to continue to be the best version of myself. When I discovered the BBBS Career and College Success program through TechBae, I was overjoyed. Inspiring young people in the same way that my mentor did for me is something I aspire to do for the next generation.