Mentoring that made an impact: Liubov’s path to confidence and career growth

During her MSc Banking and Finance studies at Birkbeck, Liubov was emailed about the opportunity to gain a mentoring relationship with alumni and corporate volunteers. She jumped at the chance and was paired with corporate volunteer Lio Lopez-Welsch, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Unum UK.

She said: “I didn’t hesitate - I signed up straight away. I was really curious to see how it worked, what I could learn and how it might help me grow personally and professionally. And I’m so glad I did - it went far beyond my expectations.

“Every meeting with my mentor felt like a breakthrough in some way. From the very first call, I felt supported and understood. Lio quickly made me feel at ease. He was open, kind and genuinely engaged in our conversations.

“Lio helped me see my potential in a new way. With his support, I pushed myself to do things I never thought I could - like joining a public speaking club, which was a huge step outside my comfort zone.”

Luibov was also supported with practical career advice, including working on her CV and cover letter, creating a LinkedIn profile and sharing interview techniques.

Unknown to her, Lio nominated Liubov for the Mentee of the Year award and she was recognised with the runner-up prize at the Mentoring Pathways celebration event 2025. Lio described her as “a role model for Birkbeck’s mission in celebrating and embracing diversity” and was impressed with her willingness to learn and try new things.

On being recognised as the runner-up Mentee of the Year, Liubov said: “It meant a lot - it felt like everything I worked through, all the effort and growth, was being seen and appreciated. I’m incredibly thankful for the recognition, but more than anything, I want to thank Lio. Without his support, guidance and belief in me, I wouldn’t have made such progress. He created a space where I felt safe and motivated to grow. I always looked forward to our meetings, and I’ll carry everything I learned from him with me into the future.”

Liubov’s journey to Birkbeck began with a desire to live in a new country. Originally from Ukraine, she moved to the UK in early 2020 and worked as a hostess in a hotel restaurant. Her academic background in accounting and finance soon led her into the hotel’s finance department, and with it, a renewed sense of purpose. “That experience reignited my passion for finance and reminded me why I loved the subject. I knew that if I wanted to grow professionally, gaining a UK qualification was the next step,” she said.

She chose to pursue the MSc at Birkbeck, thanks to its academic reputation and evening study model - ideal for someone balancing work. She said: “The MSc course helped me build a much deeper understanding of the subject and introduced me to areas I hadn’t studied before. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to think more clearly about my career goals.”

Currently she is focused on finishing her dissertation and plans to work towards professional finance qualifications.

And Liubov’s message to others considering the Mentoring Pathways programme is clear: “Say yes and make the most of the opportunity. It’s a fantastic chance to connect with someone who’s already been where you are. Being able to talk to someone who understands your field, who can guide you, support you and give you honest advice - it’s incredibly valuable. If you’re open to learning and growing, the mentoring programme can truly change your perspective and your future. I’m really glad I took part, and I would recommend it to anyone.”