Mentorship That Shaped My Professional Journey
István was my manager for more than four years, and during this time he played a defining role in my professional development—not only as a leader, but as a true mentor. I joined an AI development company with a background in the humanities and teaching, which was a completely new field for me, so it was especially important to have someone I could always turn to. István was open to my questions in every situation, he listened, and he provided guidance on how to approach and handle new and often challenging situations.
He generously shared his extensive professional and personal experience with me; these conversations were not only useful but genuinely inspiring. He was always supportive, regardless of whether I approached him with a work-related or personal matter.
During our work together, there were occasions when we did not fully agree; however, these situations were always handled constructively. István consistently listened to my perspective and, drawing on his own experience, offered advice that helped us find the best possible solution together.
I received regular feedback from him every six months, but these were much more than formal evaluations—they were real mentoring conversations. There was always time to discuss topics in depth, even outside of working hours when needed. Our conversations were honest, open, and free of judgment, creating a safe environment where I felt I could speak freely and trust his guidance.
Whenever necessary, he dedicated hours to supporting me—the longest of our one-on-one conversations lasted three hours. Sometimes we explored a single issue in depth, such as handling challenging interpersonal situations at work; other times, we covered multiple topics in an effort to find common ground and move forward effectively. I always felt that he truly listened and genuinely cared about helping me.
Over the years, while the mentor–mentee roles remained, our relationship gradually evolved into a more collaborative partnership. István became increasingly open to my own experiences, and we were able to build on them together in our discussions.
We also participated in several activities outside of work, which further strengthened our relationship, and I always looked forward to these occasions.
I am deeply grateful for everything I learned from him—his advice, openness, helpfulness, and the stable, supportive presence he consistently provided. I could not have wished for a better manager and mentor in my first full-time job.
Kogemuse kuupäev: 31 January, 2026
Kogemuse kuupäev: 31 January, 2026