Vivian Careaga, Partner Account Manager at Spotify

"The mentor program enables me to keep in touch with students and a thriving learning community, which in turn allows me to keep up-to-date with current trends and mindsets."

Why did you participate in the MSc Mentor Program?
Back when I was a student at SSE, I had a mentor through this program. Our sessions had a profound impact on my life and I wanted to be able to give something back to the program that has given me so much. Moreover, I think the mentor program serves as a great platform to exchange ideas and interact with ambitious students. It is also a great way to keep in touch with SSE and its students after graduating.

Have you developed and/or improved any personal skills during the program?
I have improved my active listening skills. I realized once again how important it is to listen actively in order to be able to ask the right questions and move the discussion forward.

Do you have any tips for future mentors/mentees?
I would recommend all mentors and mentees to meet at a neutral zone that is neither mentor's workplace nor SSE. This neutral zone should be a comfortable place (for example a coffee shop, not a bar) for both parties, in order to secure a fruitful mentor-mentee relationship. Also, both should make sure to synchronize expectations at the beginning of the program by setting up the goals for how the sessions should be, what should be discussed and how long they should be.