Nicola Sturgeon Is Looking For Young Women To Mentor

By Holly O'Neill
03rd Feb 2017

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 17: (EDITORS NOTE: Retransmission of #591297378 with alternate crop.) The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her Cabinet host a public discussion for EU nationals living in Scotland at the Corn Exchange on August 17, 2016 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Around 450 people signed up for the event, at which the First Minister and her cabinet underlined their commitment to protecting Scotlands relationship with and place in Europe following Brexit. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Nicola Sturgeon Is Looking For Young Women To Mentor

A mentor can set you on the right path in your career. Eventually, you’ll go it alone but at the beginning, when you’re setting out, your female sidekick can influence you in ways you’ve never quite imagined. And if you’re lucky to have a mentor in your career, you’ll know the enormous impact they have on your life and the wisdom they can impart on you.

And now, you’re in luck because Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister is looking to find and mentor?a woman aged between 18 and 23 for a year.

She?called on women in leadership roles to follow her example and become mentors, and said equality for women was “at the heart of the Scottish government”.?She said?one of her first moves as First Minister was to appoint a gender-balanced cabinet.

“My ambition for all our young people is that they will have a fair chance to succeed, and if they work hard and have the ability, there’s nothing to stop them realising their dreams.”

“It is not acceptable in 2017 for women to be under-represented in senior positions, including in the boardroom.”

More details about the competition will be released at a later date by?the Young Scot organisation.

We’ve spoken a great deal about the importance of a mentor, particularly ‘during our Businesswomen of the Year Awards, and two of 2015’s IMAGE BWOTY winners were happy to recall the best things about their mentors:

“That person is really my grandfather,” said Bernadette Saunders, CEO WorldBOX.ie and Start-up winner 2015. ?”He always thought us to leave something on the table for the other party and to ensure if there is any value added you can give as part of a deal.”

“I’ve been incredibly lucky to be influenced by some truly wonderful women, from the super stylist Aisling Farinella who is my fashion fairy godmother to Jennie McGinn who is my?business sister; we have grown up in our businesses together and she is always there for me whether I need advice or a hug,” added?Chupi Sweetman, Creative Director Chupi Jewellery and Young Businesswoman winner 2015.