Isabel Fernández Corrella, a student participating in the CYD Mentorship Programme , a pilot programme developed during 2014, explains her experience as a Mentee of Alfonso Rodés, CEO of Havas Media . In this programme, the Mentor plays a primordial role, as he acts as a link between the university and the working world, an intermediary who advises the student about what s/he wants to dedicate him/herself to, in this case the field of journalism.  

- What were your reasons for deciding to get involved in this programme?

I joined the programme thanks to the proposal I was made at the time by the vice-dean and director of the bachelor's degree in Journalism, Carles Singla. I was finishing my studies in Paris and, in fact, it all went very quickly. I sent my curriculum to the CYD Foundation with little information as to what the mentoring process would be like if I were chosen. Without even knowing who might be my mentor, I was excited to ask questions and share opinions with an industry professional. I looked to me like a very interesting project I wanted to take advantage of. 

"Actually having had access to his experience and knowledge has been, and is, a great opportunity and a challenge."

- How do you rate your experience on the CyD Mentorship Programme?

The experience has exceeded all my expectations and has been very positive. It is a big learning curve. As a mentor, Alfonso Rodés is a professional who leads one of the largest media groups in the world. He posed new challenges and has encouraged me to be entrepreneurial after completing my bachelor's degree in Journalism. Our meetings never disappointed me. Actually having had access to his experience and knowledge has been, and is, a great opportunity and a challenge.

- Do you think this experience will be reflected in your future work?

In my case, I would highlight that the Mentor has managed to arouse and encourage new curiosity in me. When he insisted that the best thing I could do was to create my own project, rather than look for work in just any company in the sector, he gave me strength and confidence. I must confess, however, that this proposal threw me a little, because I wasn't expecting the Mentor to put me in the direction of entrepreneurship straight out of university. I was expecting him to recommend companies to contact or how to prepare myself for their selection processes, for example. However, when you are given an opportunity like that you mustn't miss it. I knew that if I could manage to present him with a new project and he liked it then he could somehow help me to carry it through. And after presenting my final year project, I gave the idea some thought.

- Would you say that the programme facilitates the connection between students and enterprise?

Indeed, the programme establishes a bridge between students and major employers and allows the students to get to know first-hand the sector in which they are interested in pursuing their careers. The Mentor offers a more real, more practical and less academic perspective of the professional world.

- What does the presence of a Mentor supervising your work contribute?

Committing yourself to an idea and carrying it out is a complex process emotionally, as it involves fears, hopes and disappointments, doubts, hope... The role taken by Mr. Rodés has helped me to feel able to start a project from scratch. In short he gave me motivation.

"The Mentor offers a more real, more practical and less academic perspective of the professional world"

- Would you recommend the programme to prospective students? Why?

I would absolutely recommend the programme to prospective students. The suitability of the time it comes up is key. The final year of the degree involves taking decisions and this initiative can be really useful. As the mentor has a long track record of professional success in the same sector as the student, s/he can give guidance and help. Sharing opinions can serve to reconsider priorities, enhance skills and improve the focus on and achievement of goals.

In my case, from the outset the Mentor encouraged me to ask him a lot of questions. In this regard, it should be pointed out that the responsibility for the success of the programme, to a large extent, lies with the Mentee. The student has little time available, since the employer usually has an impossible diary, and it is important to prepare for the meetings in order to make the most of them.

- Do you have a project in mind? Could you explain it to us?

The first conversations with Alfonso Rodés paved the way for the inception of the Smiling City project. This is a digital platform that will host positive stories, told through a new interactive format. We are a young, enthusiastic team and, after having made a pilot chapter, Havas Media (the company of my Mentor) is promoting the project, since they have offered us advice on marketing and economic feasibility in order to get sponsors and/or customers.