Karen King, HM Revenue & Customs
Karen King receiving her special award from Bob Betts
Karen King
Learning Specialist
HM Customes and Revenue
Karen was given a special award at the Career Development Awards Evening in May 2009 to mark her fifth year as a mentor.
What motivated you to become a mentor?
I saw it as an opportunity to use my knowledge, skills and life experience to help someone else. I also saw it as an opportunity to expand my own skills and knowledge and therefore improve my prospects in the workplace.
What activities have you organised for your mentees?
I have organised work shadowing and have arranged for tours around my workplace. I have also set my mentees various tasks to help to identify the areas in which they feel in need of development and the best way forward to achieve their goals.
What did you find most enjoyable?
I have enjoyed the tasks the most as these have been activities in which I have been able to get involved with my mentees. I have been able to use the outcomes to not only help my mentee but also to improve my own knowledge and skills.
What were the outcomes for you/your organisation?
I have discovered skills and knowledge that I didn't know I had. This has lead to an increase in my self-awareness and an improvement in my confidence. I have also gained an invaluable insight into the issues that other people, particularly those with disabilities, can face in all aspects of their life. My organisation has also gained from my mentoring as I have been able to put many of my new-found skills and knowledge to use in my job.
Would you do it again?
Without hesitation.
What advice would you give to potential mentors?
There's probably a lot of advice I could give, so I've gone with what I think are the most important things. Be open and honest with both your mentee and yourself. Use whatever resources are available to you to find answers, information and guidance - including other mentors. Don't be afraid to ask for help or admit that you don't know an answer. Try not to make judgements. And enjoy the experience.
