Why I Became a Mentor: The Truth About Helping Young Physiotherapists Succeed

If someone had told me while I was in university that I would someday call myself a mentor and coach to young physiotherapists, I would have called them a liar.

Some might assume that mentorship is not rewarding enough to justify the time and effort I put into it. However, the truth is that my motivation comes from a deep desire to see other physiotherapists succeed.

Let us start from the beginning. As a young physiotherapist trying to find my way, I felt lost. Looking back, I believe I could have achieved so much more if I had mentors guiding me, people who could have pointed me in the right direction, advised me on what to do, and helped me avoid unnecessary mistakes. Learning from our own missteps is part of the journey, but is it not better if someone who has already walked that path helps us navigate it more efficiently? That is why I believe we all need mentors, regardless of our profession, whether it is medicine, engineering, nursing, or physiotherapy.

Mentorship is about having someone who understands the challenges, has been through the struggles, and is willing to guide you so you do not have to make the same mistakes they did. My realisation came once I found myself in a position where I had overcome many of the hurdles young physiotherapists are currently facing. Having succeeded, I saw no reason why others should have to go through the same struggles alone. I met colleagues and younger physiotherapists who wanted to reach my level or go even further, and I decided to help them avoid mistakes I made

Interestingly, my mentorship journey did not begin with students or junior colleagues. It started with my own peers. I never set out to be a mentor. It simply began with me helping colleagues navigate migration pathways, prepare for interviews, and understand career opportunities. Over time, it grew. First, it included physiotherapists from my university and other alumni. Then, it extended to physiotherapists across Nigeria, followed by other parts of Africa. Now, I find myself mentoring physiotherapists in the United Kingdom, particularly students. I have even been invited to speak at universities, which has been an incredible experience so far

So, what do I get from all this? For one, I see it as professional growth, not just for me, but for the profession as a whole. If more physiotherapists succeed, the field becomes stronger, more respected, and more impactful. Early on, I recognised that physiotherapy lacks dedicated mentors, people willing to selflessly guide young professionals. That gap in mentorship is what I am trying to fill.

Beyond that, there is a personal fulfilment that comes with seeing others succeed. Every time someone I have mentored calls to tell me they landed a job, passed an exam, or reached a milestone, it reinforces that I am giving back to a profession that has already given me so much.

Now, I will not sugarcoat it. Mentorship takes a lot of my time, and I have started considering monetising it. The challenge, however, is figuring out how to do it effectively. Would people be willing to pay for career coaching? If so, how much would they invest in mentorship? These are questions I am still exploring, and they are the main reasons I have not fully structured a paid mentorship program yet.

In terms of who I mentor, my focus is primarily on young physiotherapists, those in their first few years of practice and final-year or penultimate-year students. In the early years, students are mainly focused on passing exams and adjusting to university life, which is why I believe career mentorship becomes more relevant as they approach graduation. That is when they need guidance on their next steps, whether it is finding a job, specialising, or even migrating. For physiotherapists in Africa, understanding migration pathways is crucial. For those in the United Kingdom, it is about navigating career options and identifying growth opportunities.

A common question I hear is, "How do I know if I need a mentor or career coach?" If you feel stuck in your current role, uncertain about your career path, or struggling with transitioning into a new position, a mentor can help. Other signs include wanting to develop specific skills but not knowing where to start, needing an external perspective on your career development, or dealing with imposter syndrome, where you doubt your abilities despite your achievements.

At the end of the day, mentorship is about guidance, clarity, and support. If you feel like you need that in your career, reach out to me. Let us see how we can make something work for you.