Yara Elsayed, Senior Media Manager, HAVAS Media Middle EastHow many of us still remember our first interview as a fresh graduate? Or the first interview for what felt like a dream job, the opportunity that later shaped our passions, our daily work and ultimately who we are today? And how many of us remember the one person who opened that door? The mentor who helped us learn, grow and discover that we truly love what we do.
I personally still remember the first time I interviewed for a role in media. I remember the room, the conversation, and the one person there who later became my mentor and taught me many of the fundamentals I still rely on today. Looking back, I often realise how significant that moment was, and how important mentorship can be, both in general and especially in our industry.
Early in many careers, we begin to realise that what truly makes a difference is when someone more experienced takes the time to notice potential, offer guidance, and open doors that might otherwise remain invisible. That, to me, is how we define a mentor.
A mentor is someone who uses their experience, access, and perspective to help someone else grow faster and more confidently than they could alone. They don’t just give advice, they open doors, challenge thinking and create space for others to step forward. In media, this often means sharing the unwritten rules of the industry: strategic thinking, decision-making under pressure and the kinds of career shortcuts that typically only come with years of experience.
Much of this knowledge lives in the lived experiences of those who have spent years navigating client rooms, building strategies, managing pressure and making decisions in moments that require both data and instinct.
One of my favorite things about mentorship is that it doesn’t always give you the answers; instead, it teaches you how to ask better questions. It’s far more powerful than just advice shared over coffee. It is a form of knowledge transfer in a fast-changing industry like ours, where mentors invest their time and experience in someone else’s growth.
What I find particularly fascinating about mentorship is that sometimes it happens almost unconsciously. There are many moments when I’ve watched a senior colleague address a challenge, share a perspective, or lead with empathy and immediately found myself learning from it. In those moments, you absorb skills and ways of thinking that later shape how you approach your own career and leadership. For many women, this can carry even greater significance.
A strong mentor helps build confidence in moments of doubt and helps transform potential into visible leadership. Most importantly, mentorship helps shift the narrative from simply fitting into the industry to actively shaping it. The true impact of mentorship goes far beyond two individuals. When mentorship becomes embedded within workplace culture, it creates a ripple effect across teams and organisations.
Those who receive guidance early in their careers often become mentors themselves. Knowledge is shared more openly, leadership becomes more inclusive, and the industry evolves faster because experience is not kept at the top, it is passed down. Mentorship can be intentional, and at times almost invisible, but its impact is always lasting.
Many of us can trace defining moments in our careers back to someone who took the time to guide us, challenge us, or simply believe in our potential.
In an industry built on ideas, collaboration and constant change, that shared experience becomes one of the most powerful tools we have. Because when mentorship becomes part of how we lead, grow and support others, it doesn’t just shape individual careers, it shapes the future of the entire media industry.
By Yara Elsayed, Senior Media Manager, HAVAS Media Middle East
