Meet Mimansa Bhardwaj, an anthropologist and career advisor at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences. A few years ago, she couldn't have imagined the choices and happiness she now enjoys. Mimansa throws parties at will, travels wherever she wants, spends time with people she loves, and finds immense joy in her work because of its profound impact on people's lives. Mimansa believes that career and life fulfillment are deeply intertwined. Freedom is her guiding principle, both in life and in her work.
In this spotlight, we asked Mimansa about her pursuit of personal and career growth, and the role of mentorship in her journey. Her story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to helping others achieve their full potential.
Hi, I’m Mimansa, an anthropologist and career advisor at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences, a global institution with campuses in Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, Dubai, and Iserlohn. I now live in my dream city, Berlin, but my journey began in Jaipur, India, about ten years ago. When I receive a message from a client saying, "Hey, I got the job!", it means so much more than just employment. It signifies they're one step closer to fulfilling their dreams, achieving greater freedom, and enhancing their well-being. For me, career and life fulfillment are deeply intertwined. A few years ago, I couldn't have imagined the choices and happiness I have now. I throw parties at will, travel wherever I want, spend time with people I love, and find immense joy in my work because of its profound impact on people's lives. Freedom is my guiding principle, both in life and in my work.
A mentor is someone who guides you along the way, offering tips to save extra effort. The need for a mentor became crucial when I felt stuck during my MA studies in Göttingen. It was post-COVID, and as a foreign student with limited German knowledge, I knew success would only come with the right guidance. I wrote a realistic goal on paper and put it on my wall: "Finish your studies, get a job, and learn German." Simple, but not easy. I googled "mentoring in Berlin" because every trip to the city felt so international. I discovered Femme Palette, which offered exactly the support I needed. Initially, I started with another mentor while waiting to see if I’d get a scholarship, but I couldn't wait any longer. By the end of the month, I had two mentors: one from Femme Palette and another connection.
My mentor was incredibly patient and helped me stay true to my values and be authentic. Instead of just finding a job, I aimed for a role aligned with my interests and passions. At first, I doubted I’d ever make it, but I secured my dream job before finishing my degree. This wouldn’t have been possible without Femme Palette and my mentor. For me, personal and professional growth are interconnected. The more inner work I do, the more it reflects in my professional success. It’s important to understand your personal measurement scale. For me, it’s happiness and control over my time. Setting aside one hour for systematic self-reflection is crucial for achieving success. I still remember in our first session, my mentor and I reflected on how success is ultimately a feeling.
Maintain a positive mindset, especially during tough times. It’s easy to conclude you’re a failure when life presents rejection. I always tell my clients, "Rejection is redirection." While it’s easier said than done, it’s crucial to stay positive. During my low moments, I’d write down five good things about the situation. This practice was a game-changer for me. Positive energy keeps you going, and eventually, things work out. Failure is not concrete; it’s a perception, a feeling. Learning to work with failure is key to understanding success.
I told my mentor I wanted a job in marketing. She candidly said it might not happen immediately, but we would work on aligning my CV to a marketing profile as much as possible. If someone else was selected, it wasn’t a rejection but a better match for them. This shifted my perspective and taught me a new way of thinking. Some sessions were unprepared, where we discussed mental health, life journeys, and my job search feelings. These sessions were instrumental in overcoming mental blocks. Sometimes, ChatGPT can’t provide all the answers.
I had a wonderful experience. My mentor emphasized the relevance of authenticity and maintaining it in my work life. In our first session, we discussed how success is a feeling and how achieving it requires understanding both material and psychological aspects of ourselves. This helped me redefine my career goals and pursue a path that brings both fulfillment and financial stability.
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