Why did you join M4U Colombia?
I believed in the theory of change of M4U, as explained by Daniel Uribe Villa (co-founder of M4U Colombia) during a 5-minute call. I remember sitting in the library of Universidad del Rosario in Colombia that day, envisioning my professional and academic career after graduation and struggling with what to do next. After that call and several back-and-forth emails with Daniel, I joined the first cohort of mentees, and the M4U team connected me with one of the best individuals in the field of education policy and entrepreneurship, Luis E. García de Brigard, former deputy minister of education of Colombia. Thanks to the guidance of Luis, I pursued my Master's degree in Education Policy and Analysis at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, recently graduating in May 2024. Mentors such as Daniel and Luis and the network of individuals around the globe that M4U Colombia provides help me to believe that my dreams can become a reality. Nowadays, I'm an active member of this network, supporting friends and other mentees. Overall, M4U Colombia is contributing to a better educational system in Colombia, in which I will continue working to promote equitable access to quality education.
What impact do you think it could have on the future of your country?
Mentoring has become popular in Colombia. Companies, universities, schools, and organizations in different fields are doing mentoring, and M4U Colombia was a pioneer in this matter. M4U understood the problem of the opportunity gap in young adults struggling to navigate the first years of their professional careers. In parallel, they were synchronizing the efforts of the government to create lifelong pathways and the private sector's goal to support primarily high-achieving, low-income professionals. All cohorts of M4U, including mentors and mentees, are part of an ecosystem in which everyone learns and helps others to accomplish big, hairy goals. That's the best part: seeing your friends growing and working in the best roles and job positions in your country or, in my case, getting accepted into one of the best universities in the world. That's the impact of M4U, propelling the career and networks of young adults who are passionate about solving the most pressing issues of our country and who are replicating the same concept of mentoring in their communities.
What impact is it having on you?
M4U Colombia aims to close the gap in access to professional and leadership opportunities. This premise became a reality during the mentoring program and is still alive nowadays as alumni. M4U connected me with the Latin American Leadership Academy, where I participated as one of the first Colombians in their cohorts. After this experience, I started to perceive more opportunities and initiatives that echoed my purpose in life. When I began my transition into the labor market, I received support 1:1 from the M4U team. Yineth Rentería, also co-founder, became one of my biggest allies in our common goal to transform for better the education in Colombia. At the same time, I received strategic insight regarding the next 5-10 years in my professional career from my mentor, Luis García. Since 2018, we have kept in touch regularly to revise our goals and aspirations. Our last conversation was regarding my recent acceptance into the Educational Leadership Ph.D. program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and how this training will amplify the work I will lead by guaranteeing more access and retention to post-secondary education. For instance, the model of M4U Colombia inspired me to research topics such as social-emotional learning, family, and school support, which are vital in the transition to higher education.
Why would you recommend joining M4U Colombia?
I highly recommend M4U for young professionals in the transition to the labor market. In addition, I invite senior professionals from all different fields to participate in M4U programs as mentors. This exchange is rewarding for both sides of the mentorship synergy. Both grow intentionally into one objective, and the victories are celebrated with the entire M4U community. Excellent mentors equip and prepare excellent mentees, who will equip and prepare other mentees. The impact transcends generations and communities and is massive.
To date, what is the most important teaching it has given you?
I'm a witness that M4U enhances the social mobility of young professionals from underdeveloped regions of Colombia. They not only help you navigate the process to get into competitive job positions in the public and private sectors but also provide the resources and guidance for continuous improvement when challenges arise.
