#Youth4Soil | My Mentorship Journey
Story by Clemence Mnyika with support from Mentor Shallom Abla Lumor
Photo by Tor Gunnar Vagen (CIFOR-ICRAF)
When I joined #Youth4Soil, I was genuinely excited, especially about the mentorship component. My main expectation was to learn from experienced professionals, particularly women in my career pathway, and to benefit from their insights on how to excel in research and development.
Then I was matched with a wonderful human being, Shallom Abla Lumo,r as my mentor. I was thrilled to begin what has become a truly beautiful journey of learning and growth. Our first meeting focused on getting to know each other and setting clear objectives for our mentorship. Shallom shared that her motivation to become a mentor stemmed from her own early career journey, a time when she faced challenges and wished she had someone to offer her guidance. She wanted to be that person for others. Our goals aligned perfectly, and I knew I was in the right hands.
The very first thing she said to me was that my social media presence, especially on LinkedIn, was almost nonexistent and that had to change. She proposed a training session on social media visibility, not just for me but for anyone at #Youth4Soil who would be interested. I was so excited to share this idea with the rest of the team.
On 9 October 2025, we hosted a mentorship session on “Building a Strong Social Media Presence.” I had the privilege of moderating the session, and the insights shared were nothing short of golden.
Some of my key takeaways included:
LinkedIn is like a digital CV.
Keep your information updated and relevant.
Your LinkedIn banner should summarize what you do.
Keep expanding your network—visibility comes with connection.
Commenting and engaging meaningfully also boost your visibility.
Recommend others genuinely and celebrate their wins.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported and joined the virtual event. I’m certain each participant left with valuable tools to build their own online visibility and professional brand.
Beyond social media, our mentorship has covered multiple areas, from setting short- and long-term goals to aligning my personal, career, and social well-being. What I love most about this process is how Shallom emphasizes seeing oneself as a whole person, not just a professional. This approach has shifted my mindset from waiting for opportunities to come to strategically designing my path with clarity and purpose.
I also learned that Shallom is pursuing her PhD in a new country while raising an infant! Despite her demanding schedule, she remains consistent, intentional, and deeply dedicated. We developed a communication plan that keeps us in touch regularly, and it has worked beautifully. Her quiet strength, determination, and authenticity continually inspire me.
Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude for the growth, the relationship, and the priceless experience. I’m more structured in my life and more focused in my career than ever before. My heartfelt thanks go to #Youth4Soil for creating such an impactful platform that nurtures not just professionals but purpose-driven individuals.
As my mentor, Shallom, often says,
“Visibility + Ability = Opportunities.”
That quote has become my compass; a daily reminder that growth begins when we choose to be seen, skilled, and intentional about our journey.
