Mentor Elina Nauha: Mentoring was a mutual and enjoyable learning experience

Nauha was hired by Neste during the master’s stage of her studies and worked there for many years. She has been in process development at Coolbrook for nearly five years. Nauha mentored a doctoral student from the same field.

Commitment and reciprocity were the cornerstones of the mentoring

Nauha’s mentee came to the meetings well prepared and made active use of the programme’s structure, ideas and materials—such as career design exercises. This suited the mentor, who says she loves structure and clear ways of working—elements she appreciated in the mentoring programme in addition to the mentoring itself.

“We agreed on how we proceed right at the start. The mentee prepared the meetings extremely well, and our discussions took off from the preselected themes, especially in the early stages of the mentoring.”

The relationship evolved into a reciprocal one. Nauha says she initially joined thinking her role was primarily to listen and support. Over the course of the process, however, she realised she was also gaining new perspectives herself.

“At first I tried to stick very closely to the listener’s role, but the mentoring also became an exchange of ideas for us. When we discussed different career paths, I found myself considering options I hadn’t thought of before."

A central theme was different career paths  

The mentoring pair met face to face in cafés and on walks about once a month. Their discussions ranged from career options to doctoral studies, as well as balancing work with the rest of life. Drawing on her own experience of postgraduate studies helped Nauha explore related questions with the student. As a mother of three, she could also share how family life and a demanding expert career can go hand in hand.

Mentoring also prompted her to reflect on her position as an experienced specialist. Nauha says she realised that students may find her, in a senior role, less approachable than she imagines. The insight had an immediate practical impact: later, in an international work project, she proactively sought out a conversation with a younger researcher.

Nauha strongly recommends becoming a mentor

Asked whether she would recommend mentoring to other alumni, her answer comes quickly.

“I definitely would. It’s not just that the mentee gains something. The mentor also gains new perspectives and learns, too.”

Nauha finds it particularly meaningful to support young women in technical fields. “It’s wonderful to see what the field looks like through the eyes of the next generation. At the same time, you can encourage them and help them move forward. That felt important.”

The experience was so positive that Nauha plans to apply for the next round of the mentoring programme as well.