Mentoring stories

Left: Mentee Mateusz Kobylec. Right: Mentor Aymeric Monod-Gayraud

Recent graduate Mateusz Kobylec and alumnus Aymeric Monod-Gayraud began their mentoring relationship during the 2024/25 Global Mentoring Programme.

Aymeric studied a BA in Economics and Applied Quantitative Methodology at Sussex, graduating in 2002. After completing his course, he had the opportunity to study for two Master’s degrees, at both Cambridge (Finance) and Oxford (International Relations). His first career steps were in the world of investment banking with Bank of America (Merrill Lynch), before he started his current path in entrepreneurship by co-founding Freebee, one of Europe’s first digital loyalty platforms, in 2011. He is currently co-founder of LoanTube, a London-based FinTech and FCA Authorised Broker on a mission to make credit fairer and more accessible for underserved consumers and SMEs.

At the start of the mentoring programme Mateusz was in his final year at Sussex, studying a BSc in Business and Management Studies, graduating towards the end of the Global Mentoring Programme in July 2025. He said he applied for the Global Mentoring Programme because he was “seeking a person who could understand my aspirations…and help me make wiser decisions which enable further growth”.

Mateusz and Aymeric met online throughout the programme, before meeting up in person in Hammersmith shortly before Mateusz’s graduation ceremony from Sussex. As a mentor, Aymeric said he applied for the programme because of his own personal experiences of struggling to find the right direction for himself when he was younger – “I felt naturally inclined to give back and help at least one person get there quicker”.

What made you apply for the mentoring programme?

Mateusz: “Being convinced that there's nothing to lose from it. There's so much to gain because having a mentor is such an incredibly valuable opportunity to take advantage of.

I do not have anyone in my family with whom I can have an in-depth conversation about business-related topics because none of my relatives operate in that field. I was looking for a mentor that could provide me with insight that came directly ‘from the source’. I was seeking a person who could understand my aspirations, inform me about their mistakes (what to avoid doing), challenge my thinking and help me make wiser decisions which enable further growth.”

Aymeric: “When I joined Sussex at 18, I had very limited real-life experience. It took me a few years to figure out a path that matched both my abilities and ambitions, largely because I did not have anyone to guide me. That is why I felt naturally inclined to give back and help at least one person get there quicker.”

“Having someone who constantly believes in you and sees your ambition, hard work and potential has put me on the right course to conquer my imposter syndrome.”

Mateusz Kobylec (Business and Management Studies 2022)

What have you gained from your mentoring relationship?

Mateusz: “A fantastic friend who I enjoy talking to and who is there to listen. Speaking with my mentor helped me clarify my goals and direction after my time at Sussex. Prior to meeting my mentor, I had no idea what to do next. My mentor’s knowledge and career insights were a critical component in my thinking process behind my decision to continue my studies and pursue a Master’s course.

I was also able to contact them to discuss my current course work and help me run through my presentation and start-up pitches. My mentor always provided me with quality feedback that was highly actionable and their lens brought a different perspective to the table as they were able to suggest adequate changes and show how things are done in the professional work environment. Having someone who constantly believes in you and sees your ambition, hard work and potential has put me on the right course to conquer my imposter syndrome as I always undervalue and cut myself short. Thanks to their guidance, I have learnt that instead of focusing on things that didn’t go perfectly, it’s important to acknowledge the personal wins, moments of joy, as well as the achievements which made you who you are and got you to the current point in your life.”

Aymeric: “By sharing the various paths I have taken myself at around his age, I was able to help Mateusz make clearer decisions more quickly. For example, his immediate next steps at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) for a Double Masters, and also his thinking on the career front after university. From his feedback, it feels like he did take value from some of my observations and experiences. His acknowledgement of that made me genuinely happy, as it showed I was able to inspire someone.”

“Be yourself. Share only what you can back with your own hard-earned experience, and remember, the other person is ultimately the decision maker.”

Aymeric Monod-Gayraud (Economics and Applied Quantitative Methodology 1999)

What would you say to someone considering a mentoring relationship?

Mateusz: “Please do it because you have so much to gain, it’s a low risk, high reward situation. Sussex has an incredible network of alumni so I am sure that the team will match you with someone who you’ll find inspiring and helpful.”

Aymeric: “Be yourself. Share only what you can back with your own hard-earned experience, and remember, the other person is ultimately the decision maker. You guide, they decide. It is like with your own children. If you force them down a path they have not fully embraced, it rarely leads to great outcomes. At the same time, be very direct and honest about your experiences, because they may draw lessons you had not even considered.”

Do you have any advice for recent graduates and students thinking of approaching a mentor?

Mateusz: “Try to make things as easy for your mentor as possible. I am guilty of this myself but sometimes your mentor would prefer honesty and a clear, direct answer rather than a long-winded ‘maybe’ that leads them on (or even worse, totally ghosting them)! It is important to respect their time as their schedule is incredibly packed. Try to meet each other regularly and try to at least meet each other in person once, being in the same room together really makes a big difference.

Listen to your gut, if you don’t feel it is going to work then don’t continue trying to push it and force it any further. The negative energy will rub off and impact your relationship. Be transparent with your mentor and they will understand and respect you for not wasting their time as well.”

Aymeric: “Just do it. There are no real downsides, other than a few hours of your time in the worst case. The upside is you gain access to someone else’s experiences, which can help you cut out unnecessary steps on your own journey. Go in with open eyes and an open mind. Let your mentor challenge your views, because that challenge may reveal paths you had never considered. Ultimately, you are the one who calls the shots. The mentor is just there to guide, like a trusted uncle or aunt.”

While Mateusz and Aymeric met through the mentoring programme, you don’t need the University to organise mentoring relationships on your behalf. You can find your own mentor on Sussex Connect. Simply create an account, search for alumni already in the industry you’re interested in and send them a message. Make sure to look out for those who say they are ‘Willing to help’ in their profile.

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