The 40 Commits Challenge
Building a mentorship platform for career growth
UX/UI Design, Research, Design Handoff
0ct 2023 - Ongoing
Background
Our project aimed to develop a comprehensive mentorship platform designed to facilitate meaningful connections between mentors and mentees in various professional fields. The goal was to create a user-friendly platform that addresses the specific needs and challenges faced by individuals seeking guidance in their careers.
Problem
Many professionals, especially those early in their careers, struggle to find suitable mentors and resources to navigate the complexities of their chosen fields. The lack of a centralized platform for mentorship, career guidance, and skill development hinders personal and professional growth.
“Transition to the industry is challenging. A mentor provides the roadmap and support I need to make that leap successfully.”
Role
UX/UI Designer, User Research, Visual design, Information Architecture, Design Handoff
Team
4 designers, developers, Mentors
“As a junior, the learning curve is steep, and the fear of making mistakes is real. Having a mentor is like having a guide who helps me when things get tricky.”
“Networking feels like a puzzle with missing pieces. A mentor is the missing link that connects me to opportunities and a supportive professional network.”
Research and Discovery
We conducted extensive research to understand the preferences and challenges of potential users. Surveys and competitive analysis revealed key insights:
Key insights
Over 70% of respondents sought practical experience in their fields
Industry-specific advice and career guidance were top priorities
A desire for a robust mentorship platform with diverse mentor expertise
User Personas
To better guide our design and enable everyone on the team to empathize with our users, I further synthesized the results and came up with the following two primary user personas:
Emily (Mentee): A junior UX designer seeking guidance to overcome imposter syndrome and build effective networking skills.
03
Alex (Mentor): A seasoned UX designer passionate about helping mentees navigate the challenges of the industry.
Change in business goals: evolving towards project-based collaboration
01
Shift towards collaborative project work
Recognizing the significance of hands-on experience the platform now serves as a hub for both mentors and mentees to engage in meaningful project-based collaborations.
In the initial stages of our mentorship platform, the primary focus was on fostering one-on-one mentorship connections. However, as we progressed, we identified the need for a more dynamic and project-centric approach to cater to the diverse goals of our users.
Project discovery for mentees
Mentees now have the ability to explore a variety of projects curated by mentors across different domains. This change empowers mentees to choose projects aligned with their interests and skill sets.
Empowering mentors as project leaders
The updated business goals empower mentors to take the lead by creating and initiating projects. This not only enhances their leadership skills but also provides mentees with valuable opportunities to contribute to real-world projects.
02