Building a career is a journey rarely taken alone. Behind many professional milestones are people who offered us advice, knowledge and encouragement. The Female Ventures Career Vitality Mentor Program supports the career aspirations of women by providing them with tailored guidance from experienced professionals. In this blog series, we present the stories of mentors and mentees in the program. Their reflections are valuable to anyone considering becoming a mentor or seeking the guidance of one. We hope these stories inspire you, motivate you and give you a glimpse of the difference women can make in each other’s personal and professional growth.
Hanna Antoniuk is a digital marketer based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Originally from Eastern Europe, she joined the Rotterdam chapter of Female Ventures as a mentee. Hanna’s transition from mentee to mentor was sparked at an event organised by Female Ventures, where a fellow member of the Female Ventures community encouraged her to become a mentor.
Infobox – Key Takeaways
You don’t need to know everything: Use modern tools (like AI) to research your mentee’s specific industry if it differs from yours.
Focus on practical practice: Action-oriented tools like mock interviews build immediate confidence in your mentee.
Mentorship is a two-way street: Mentors often learn valuable soft skills and mindsets from their mentees.
At first, Hanna was hesitant. But after giving it some thought, she felt that her own She fulfilled the requirement of 10+ years of job experience to become a mentor at Female Ventures. But she didn’t feel like she had specific knowledge that could make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. After giving it some thought, she felt that her own experience of setting up a life in the Netherlands could be valuable to others. She understood the challenges of navigating the job market from the perspective of an expat and could support others on a similar path.
The Mentoring Experience
As Hanna rightly anticipated, her mentee was an expat from East Asia who had just graduated with an MBA from Erasmus University Rotterdam. She was actively searching for job opportunities. To help build her mentee’s confidence for job interviews, Hanna initiated role-play exercises where she posed as a recruiter/HR officer interviewing the mentee. They would have multiple meetings to make sure the mentee is adequately prepared.
Although both Hanna and her mentee came from different professional backgrounds, Hanna was determined to help her. She did research using AI tools to learn about the industry and career aspirations of the mentee. After having developed an understanding of the landscape her mentee was navigating, Hanna offered tailored advice. She also shared tips on soft skills required in the workplace in the Netherlands from her perspective as an expat.
Learning from the learner
Her mentee was not the only person who benefited from the mentoring sessions. For Hanna, it was rewarding to witness the value she adds to another woman’s professional journey. In addition, drawing from her mentee’s approach, Hanna learnt the importance of asking for help, voicing questions and knocking on doors even when they seem closed.
For Hanna, it was rewarding to witness the value she adds to another woman’s professional journey.
The experience also reinforced another important lesson: giving people the space to carve their way forward and not imposing one’s expectations on them.
Hanna’s commitment to supporting her mentee’s career advancement is reflected in her broader belief in women supporting other women. She says, “Many of us are trying to set up our lives in a different country and culture. So we must support each other.”
Thank you, Hanna, for sharing your experience with us! Connect with Hanna Antoniuk on LinkedIn.
Applications for the 2027 Career Vitality Mentor Program Are Now Open!
Whether you are looking for guidance and inspiration to take the next step in your career as a mentee, or eager to share your experience and support another woman as a mentor, this program offers a valuable opportunity to learn, grow and connect with like-minded women.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of a community that empowers women to navigate their careers with confidence and purpose. Take the next step in your career journey and apply before 10 November 2026.
Ready to join? Submit your application through the Mentor Program page on our website.
Have questions about the program or the application process? Get in touch with us at mentorprogram@femaleventures.nl.