Mentoring stories

Paolo Belloni studied as a Visiting and Exchange student at Sussex in 1995 before returning to Italy to complete his Masters degree in Electronic Engineering – Microwaves and Electromagnetic Fields. He then worked in various different technology and business support roles at service providers, before his current role as Group Technology Manager at Vodafone. Alongside his role at Vodafone, Paolo gives lectures as part of the Telecommunications Engineering Masters degree with Politecnico di Torino and Università degli Studi di Pavia and is a Professor at ITS Academy Piemonte and Università di Torino.

Paolo was a mentor during the 2024/2025 Global Mentoring Programme and met his mentee, a recent Masters graduate (MSc Science and Technology Policy) online throughout the programme.

What made you apply for the mentoring programme?

I wanted to give back and support someone else’s growth, but also to grow myself. It’s given me a great chance to reflect on my past experiences, recognise what I’ve learned from them, and think about how I want to approach my next steps. Completing the mentoring tasks has been really rewarding – I’ve seen how sharing experiences can make a real difference, and I’ve also gained fresh perspectives from my mentee along the way.

What have you gained from your mentoring relationship?

I’ve discovered new viewpoints – it’s been really valuable to look at things through my mentee's eyes and learn from her questions and ideas. At the same time, I’ve found it very rewarding to see how sharing my own experiences can help her navigate challenges and make informed decisions, and it’s helped me strengthen my skills in listening and supporting someone else’s growth. It’s also reminded me how energising it can be to start something new from scratch, and the importance of embracing change and continuous progress – never sitting still but always moving forward.

“A mentoring relationship is a safe space to share ideas, ask questions, and explore challenges openly.”

Paolo Belloni (Visiting & Exchange 1995)

What would you say to someone considering a mentoring relationship?

Don’t hesitate. A mentoring relationship is a safe space to share ideas, ask questions, and explore challenges openly. At the same time, it’s a chance to connect, reflect, push yourself beyond your comfort zone, and be reminded that growth comes from sharing experiences and never standing still. It’s a powerful reminder that we can learn and grow not just from books, but also from honest feedback and real-life perspectives.

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

My advice would be to approach a mentor with curiosity and an open mind and be brave in asking questions or sharing your goals. Show who you really are, there’s no judgment in a mentoring conversation, and being honest helps the relationship be truly valuable. Remember, mentoring is a supportive exchange between two individuals getting to know each other, not a top-down lecture. Be ready to listen and reflect on feedback, because it’s as much about learning from someone else’s perspective as it is about guidance, and it’s a powerful way to grow beyond what you can learn from books alone.

While Paolo met his mentee 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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