Having recently wrapped up our first mentoring intake of 2026, we've been reflecting on the value that meaningful mentorship can bring.
Finding perspective through mentorship
Our mentors work alongside mentees to create a personalised development journey, combining practical tools, frameworks, real-world experience, and honest conversations.
Feedback from this intake highlighted the impact mentorship can have on building confidence and creating clarity during times of uncertainty. Mentees shared that having a dedicated mentor to talk through challenges, explore opportunities, and gain perspective helped them better recognise their strengths, reframe career decisions, and approach their next steps with greater confidence. Others highlighted the power of simply being listened to, having a trusted person who created a safe, non-judgmental space to make sense of what felt overwhelming, and who asked the right questions rather than rushing to provide answers.
The blend of practical support and personal reflection is what makes the programme unique. It's not about telling people what to do. It's about helping them build confidence in their own decisions and giving them the tools to move forward.
Alongside our one-on-one mentoring, we've also been running dedicated career development sessions for graduates and emerging practitioners. These sessions cover practical topics such as CV and portfolio best practices, interview preparation, personal branding, and navigating the realities of entering the industry. Our goal is to help those newer to the profession build confidence, understand what employers are looking for, and take their first steps into human-centred design better equipped.
Expressions of interest open for July 2026
On 6 July, we're opening expressions of interest for our next intake.
If you're interested in joining, keep an eye on Purple Shirt's LinkedIn page for application details or get in touch with jonathan@purpleshirt.co.nz.
