Mentoring stories

Mentee Tony (left) with his mentor Nazy sat next to him at the Helena Normanton Legacy Afternoon tea. Next to them both sits Chevening Scholar Hasti.

Current MA Environment, Development and Policy student and Chevening Scholar Tony Simukonde joined the Global Mentoring Programme at the start of his time at Sussex. He wanted to learn from a professional with more experience and use the programme as an opportunity to reflect on his next steps.

Before coming to Sussex, Tony was the founder and Executive Director of Greenit Environmental Management Network, which works to raise awareness and provide education on mitigation and adaptation solutions to climate change. Alongside his role at Greenit, Tony was also Acting Head of the Department for Literature and Language at the Ministry for Education of Zambia.

His mentor Dr Nazy Sedaghat is a Senior International Policy Analyst/Advisor who has worked with various International Finance & Aid Agencies (EU, WB, UN Family) throughout her career. Over the last few years, Nazy has also given her time back as a mentor through many different mentoring schemes.

Nazy and Tony met through the 2025/26 Global Mentoring Programme and Nazy said she volunteered to be a mentor because she believes in the “transfer of knowledge and experience to the younger generation”.

Their mentoring relationship shows how our University of Sussex volunteering community can also help support Sussex students who are more experienced in their career but would still like some guidance on finding their direction going forward.

What made you apply for the mentoring programme?

Tony: “I had just started my MA in Environment, Development and Policy as an international student, and I was reflecting seriously on my future career direction, particularly how I could build on my work through Greenit and contribute to development in Zambia and Africa through climate finance, more equitable energy access and improved livelihoods.”

I wanted to learn from someone with experience who could help me reflect more clearly on my strengths, interests and next steps. I also saw it as an opportunity to receive honest guidance outside the classroom and to think more intentionally about how my academic, professional and leadership experiences could connect.”

Nazy: “I believe in the transfer of knowledge and experience to the younger generation.”

What have you gained from your mentoring relationship?

Tony: “My mentoring relationship with Nazy gave me clarity, confidence and perspective. It helped me slow down and think carefully about where I am going, rather than simply moving from one opportunity to another. Through our conversations, I became more confident in speaking about my journey, my interests and the kind of impact I want to contribute to in the future. I also learned the value of asking better questions, listening carefully and being open to guidance.”

Nazy: “Staying in touch with topics and methods which are applied to the current generation of students. I have found the programme quite a good way of staying up to date.

When the impact of the mentoring relationship on the students is revealed and acknowledged as a mentor, it makes it well worth it.”

What would you say to someone considering a mentoring relationship?

Tony: “I would encourage them to take the opportunity seriously. You do not need to have everything figured out before seeking a mentor. In fact, mentoring can be most useful when you are still trying to understand your direction. A good mentoring relationship gives you space to reflect, test your ideas and receive guidance from someone who has walked part of the road before you. The more honest and prepared you are, the more you are likely to gain from it.”

Nazy: “Be open and put in the necessary work in. Just relying on what one already knows may not be enough and also loses the special benefit of learning something new!”

“Try to be thoughtful of your mentees' background, situation and aspirations in order to make a desired change in their wellbeing.”

Nazy Sedaghat (Development Studies 1975)

Do you have any advice for recent graduates and students on how to build a strong relationship with a mentor?

Tony: My advice would be to approach the relationship with humility, preparation and respect. Come to each session with clear thoughts or questions but also be ready to listen. It is also important to follow up after meetings and act on the advice where possible. A mentor is giving their time, so the relationship should not feel transactional. It works best when there is genuine curiosity, gratitude and commitment from the mentee.”

Do you have any advice for any aspiring mentors?

Nazy: “Try to be thoughtful of your mentees' background, situation and aspirations in order to make a desired change in their wellbeing.”

“My mentoring experience gave me more confidence to reach out to alumni, professionals and peers, and to have more purposeful conversations.”

Tony Simukonde (MA Environment, Development and Policy 2025)

How did taking part in the mentoring programme expand your network?

Tony: It helped me understand networking in a more meaningful way. I began to see networking not simply as meeting people, but as building relationships through curiosity, respect and consistency. My mentoring experience gave me more confidence to reach out to alumni, professionals and peers, and to have more purposeful conversations. It also helped me appreciate the wider Sussex community as a network of people who are willing to support, guide and open doors where they can.

How did taking part in the mentoring programme help your future career?

Tony: Taking part in the programme helped me think more strategically about my future career. It supported me in connecting my academic work, my Chevening experience, my leadership through Greenit, and my long-term interests in environment, development, climate finance and energy access. It also helped me become more confident in how I present my story and professional direction. Instead of seeing my experiences as separate pieces, I began to understand how they can form a clearer pathway for the kind of work I hope to do after Sussex.”

While Tony and Nazy 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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