The Power of Mentorship: Learning from Those Who’ve Walked the Path Before You

What my main advice to you is? You can learn so much if you use the knowledge and experiences of others around you:

“Find someone who’s been where you want to go.

Listen to them. Learn from them.

And when the time comes, do the same for someone else.

My favourite quote is

Whatever path you take in your life, you must find time to give something back”

Because the truth is, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Whether it was navigating my pharmacy pre-reg year, applying to med school later in life, or figuring out how to balance work, study, and sanity, mentorship has been one of the most valuable forces in my journey.

This post is a reflection on what mentorship has meant for me, and how you can find it, use it, and one day be it.

I didn’t get here alone

Let me take you back to my first year as a pharmacist. New title. Big responsibility. Constant anxiety. Every small task seemed so daunting when I looked around what other pharmacists did on instinct I had to think, plan and keep checking.

I was thrown into a busy dispensary, expected to answer clinical questions on the spot. While I technically knew the answers, I didn’t always trust myself to say them out loud. I remember one night shift I was on-call where I had to ask the doctor to call-back just so I could check a drug interaction I already knew by heart.

Then came two people I now call my first true mentors. They didn’t hover or micromanage. But they checked in and offered the support and guidance I needed. They asked the right questions to push me. Shared what they had learnt. More importantly, they made it clear that asking for help wasn’t weakness—it was professionalism. They were actually such a large driving force and instilled so much confidence I was able to push myself to apply to Med School.

That kind of support doesn’t just give you confidence. It teaches you how to handle pressure, how to navigate grey areas, and how to grow. Mentorship should overspill into other aspects of your life you should encounter growth in more than one area.

Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal

A mentor isn’t always someone with a title or an official role. Sometimes, it’s the final-year student who shows you how to structure your revision. The junior doctor who tells you which rotations actually teach you something. The pharmacist who explains that it’s okay not to know everything straight away.

Mentorship is about proximity, honesty, and modeling.

In med school, I reached out to someone who’d been in a similar position—someone who’d come into medicine a little later, from a non-traditional route. I messaged him out of the blue, not expecting much (In fact I reached out to so many and I recall each and everyone; how they helped, how much time they invested in me how much effort and energy they put in and I am grateful for every single piece).

He replied with kindness, told me his full story, shared his wisdom and even gave time effort and energy to advise me beyond application. That message turned into a conversation, and that conversation became a friendship that gave me a clearer picture of what was ahead—and how to walk it. He introduced me to other people who formed a major part of how I navigated my journey from there.

Why mentors matter

Here’s why having a mentor makes such a difference:

1. Perspective

When you’re in the thick of it, everything feels urgent. A bad grade feels like the end of the world. A missed opportunity feels like a closed door. A mentor reminds you: This isn’t the end. It’s just a step. They can be a deciding factor between you continuing to strig or simply giving in.

2.Shortcut

Not in the way you think, hear me out. Why reinvent the wheel? Mentors have made the mistakes, navigated the confusion, and figured out what works. Learning from them means you spend less time fumbling in the dark and more time moving forward. Some matters will be unique to you (such as learning methods) but much of the wisdom you get can be tailored to you if you know what your strengths and weaknesses are.

3.Networking

Often, your mentor is the reason you hear about that opportunity, meet that connection, or get that piece of advice that makes all the difference. Good mentors don’t just guide—they open doors. They come equipped with an entire fleet of people who can help advise and guide you just remember to help them in return if you can or at least pay it forward when you can.

4.You’re not alone

Sometimes, the biggest gift a mentor gives you is this: “You’re not the only one feeling this.”

In a high-pressure environment, that can be the difference between burning out and bouncing back. You can feel isolated at times and knowing someone else experienced it but still got through can help give you a push and boost.

How to find a mentor (even if you’re shy)

I get it—reaching out to someone you admire can feel awkward. But most people love to share what they’ve learned. You don’t need to overthink it. Try this:

• Start with proximity: Is there someone a year or two ahead of you that you respect? Start a conversation. Ask how they managed a specific challenge share what it may be that you're struggling with.
• Use digital spaces: LinkedIn, university alumni groups, even Twitter/X or blog platforms are full of people willing to connect—especially if you ask thoughtful questions.
• Ask for stories, not favours: Instead of “Can you mentor me?” say, “I’d love to hear more about your path and how you approached x.”

People don’t mind being mentors. They mind being treated like a shortcut. Show curiosity and respect, and most will meet you halfway. Remember if you can try and help them in anyway you can, you have more to offer than you think!

When the roles reverse

One of the most fulfilling moments in my career was when someone reached out to me for guidance.

I have tried wherever possible to help those who are younger or perhaps less experienced than me and I believe by some karmic retribuiton I have somehow always had someone do that for me (I believe as a direct result of this).

That’s how this works.

You learn, you grow—and then you give back. Not because you’ve mastered everything, but because you understand how powerful one conversation can be.

Final Thoughts: You Grow Through Others

Mentorship isn’t about hand-holding. It’s about light-sharing. Someone ahead of you turns around, shines a light on the path, and says, “This way is tough, but it’s worth it. Keep going.”

And eventually, it’s your turn to do the same. Be a torch for others!

So if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to go next—look for someone who’s already walked it.

Ask the question.

Open the conversation.

And when you’re ready?

Be that person for someone else.

That’s how we grow—not just in medicine or pharmacy, but in life.

Because we rise, one conversation at a time.