There is no denying that mentoring can have a very positive impact on organisations, teams, and individuals.  Whether you are deciding on your career direction or have been working for years, there will be an individual that stands out as making a very positive impact on your life.  That role of mentor can be very empowering, insightful and rewarding.  

Laura Curtin, founder of Platinum Brand Communications, has been mentoring for over 15 years.  She has supported Local Enterprise Offices, Skillnet, and the Munster Technological University Joint Mentorship Programme. For several years Laura has mentored SMEs and community organisations in relation to business operations, marketing communications, employer branding, and GDPR compliance.  She is very passionate about fostering entrepreneurship, creating dynamic business environments, building collaborative relationships, and instilling a responsible culture around data privacy. 

We recently caught up with Laura to learn more about her role as a mentor, what it means to her and some of the highlights.

What ignited your interest in becoming a mentor?

When I was starting out in my marketing career I was very fortunate to have a manager who became a mentor to me.  Caroline Dowling, ex Flex, provided great support during my time with the organisation.  She would challenge the status quo, provide a great sounding board, allow me the freedom to be creative, and encourage me to grow both as an individual and global team member.  I wanted to be able to offer that support to other individuals who are either starting out on their career journey or who need help with igniting business growth.

What was your first mentoring role?

In 2005 I was appointed as a  mentor with the Local Enterprise Office South Cork.  My first client was an accounting software company just starting out.  My role was to support them with the business start-up and setting up a marketing function. The client was very engaged and willing to learn, and that has reflected in how the company has grown over the years.

What do you believe are the characteristics of an excellent mentor?

The mentor-mentee relationship entails work, commitment, and follow-through on both sides if it's going to be successful. I believe the following traits ensure that the mentoring you offer is effective and has lasting value.

Why do you participate in the Munster Technological University Joint Mentoring Programme?

The Munster Technological University Joint Mentorship Programme is a student-employer engagement initiative which aims to match current students with professionals from a wide range of sectors to exchange business experience, knowledge, expertise and career advice.  It is an excellent initiative offering me the opportunity to support marketing students as they embark on their career journey.  I always had a desire to develop and help others. I like to share my successes, failures and personal experiences, which in turn can provide insights for students into the ‘real world’.

What has been your highlight so far?

In 2020 I was mentoring a community association in employer branding, as the organisation wanted to create an inclusive employer brand.  It was a very rewarding experience as they embraced the whole experience, invested their time and resources, and have created a great brand.

What would you say to individuals thinking of becoming volunteer mentors?

I would say ‘Do It!’, as long as you can invest the time and energy.  I believe being a mentor is very rewarding and you learn a lot from your mentees. 

For more information on the mentoring programmes we provide, click here.