The session marked a strong start to ICCEF’s 2026 mentorship calendar, bringing together young professionals for a reflective and practical conversation on how intentional personal development can shape careers, confidence, and overall life satisfaction.
Deliberate Growth, Not Accidental Progress
Simbiat opened the session by emphasising that personal development does not happen by chance. She explained that growth requires deliberate effort, clarity of purpose, and a willingness to consistently evaluate oneself. Discussions focused on professional growth, decision-making, confidence-building, self-awareness, and setting goals that align with long-term aspirations.
Participants were encouraged to practise regular introspection, actively seek feedback from managers and trusted individuals, and remain open to constructive criticism. According to Simbiat, feedback is one of the fastest ways to identify blind spots and accelerate growth when received with the right mindset.
Building Skills Through Intentional Development
A key part of the session explored how young professionals can deliberately build relevant skills. Simbiat highlighted the role of reading—both fiction and non-fiction—in strengthening writing, storytelling, and analytical thinking, especially for journalists and communicators.
She also discussed the value of structured learning through online courses, trainings, fellowships, and attending debates or intellectual forums that challenge existing perspectives. Beyond formal learning, Simbiat encouraged journaling, meditation, travelling, and engaging with different cultures as ways to broaden perspective, improve self-awareness, and strengthen decision-making.
Personal Development, Travel, and Perspective
Simbiat spoke about how travel can play a role in personal development by exposing individuals to new environments and social realities, including gender inequality. She advised participants to be intentional about travel opportunities, ensuring alignment with their values, safety considerations, and available funding.
She emphasised that effective personal development plans should begin with honest introspection and translate into specific, achievable goals. Examples included working towards industry nominations, awards, or recognitions that directly support one’s career growth.
Turning Plans into Results
Sharing a personal example, Simbiat explained how she intentionally set out to win a fact-checking award by deliberately pitching and writing a story with strong fact-checking elements. This experience illustrated how clear goals, combined with strategic action, can lead to tangible outcomes.
She encouraged participants to create detailed development plans, track progress, and hold themselves accountable through accountability partners and regular self-reviews. Making commitments in advance—such as paying for courses or programmes—was also highlighted as an effective way to ensure consistency and follow-through. The session set a thoughtful and practical tone for ICCEF’s mentorship activities in 2026, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to supporting young professionals in building intentional, well-structured personal development plans that translate into real growth and impact.
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