Reflections on the Journey
When I look back on my Bangkit mentorship journey, it feels like a mix of growth, exhaustion, and gratitude. The first phase went incredibly well — I was full of energy, ideas, and motivation. I built strong momentum early on, guiding my mentees with structure and clarity.
During the mid-phase, when my schedule got tighter, I created a custom scraper to monitor mentee progress directly from the Bangkit dashboard. It was a simple but efficient way to stay connected with their learning journey even when I was swamped.
However, near the end of the program, I started to slow down. I was actively preparing for job interviews, joining the Apple Foundation program in Surabaya, and managing other personal commitments. Balancing all of that alongside mentoring was tough — and burnout started creeping in.
There were moments I didn’t have enough energy for weekly consultation sessions. I spoke a lot, sometimes more than I should have listened, and in those times, I felt the connection weaken slightly. That’s one area I wish I had handled better.
What I Could Have Done Better
One improvement I wish I had made was incorporating ice-breaking activities in the weekly consultations. My mentees naturally split into two groups: the active ones and the silent ones. Both groups were wonderful in their own ways, but the difference in engagement levels made group bonding a challenge.
While they were comfortable with me as their mentor, they weren’t always as comfortable with one another. Looking back, I believe consistent, creative ice-breakers could have helped bridge that gap — encouraging more interaction, collaboration, and shared motivation within the group.
Each mentee had different motivations, goals, and personalities. Distributing my attention fairly was a balancing act that I didn’t always master. It taught me how vital it is to foster connection and energy within the group, not just between mentor and mentee.
Gratitude and Outcomes
Despite the burnout and challenges, I’m deeply grateful for how everything turned out. Many of my mentees achieved Distinction status, joined the Entrepreneurship and Company Capstone tracks, and even earned spots in incubation programs.
Their success was a source of pride — not because it reflected on me, but because it showed their resilience and drive. When some of them reached out with personal thank-you messages, it honestly melted my heart. Those small moments of appreciation reminded me why I started mentoring in the first place.
Key Takeaways
- Foster peer comfort early — Create an environment where mentees feel equally comfortable with you and with each other.
- Manage your energy wisely — A calm, balanced mentor supports mentees more effectively than a burnt-out one.
- Do your best, but know your limits — Excellence comes from sustainable effort, not overextension.
Closing Reflection
My Bangkit mentorship journey wasn’t perfect, but it was deeply meaningful. I learned that mentorship isn’t only about teaching — it’s also about managing your own energy, adapting to different personalities, and growing alongside your mentees.
Even through burnout, gratitude remained my compass. And that’s something I’ll carry with me in every mentorship journey ahead.
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