Learning From Both Roles: Ciska van Huyssteen on Mentorship

Mentor Spotlight

Balancing these careers requires skill, determination, and support - support she found through the FIA Women in Motorsport mentorship program, where she participates as both a mentor and a mentee. That dual perspective has taught her something important about how mentorship actually works.

Understanding the Challenges

Ciska knows firsthand what women face in motorsport. "I found it very challenging when I started working in Motorsports, and I still face many challenges especially as a woman," she explains. Those ongoing obstacles motivated her to become a mentor. "I want to help, assist and support other women who might face similar challenges."

She also recognized her own need for guidance and connection. "I personally felt the need to connect with other women in the industry as I know we face similar and specific challenges."

Experiencing both roles simultaneously gave her insight into how mentorship creates value from multiple directions.

The Honor of Being Trusted

As a mentor, Ciska finds every conversation meaningful. "I think every moment as a mentor is special and makes an impact. It is a big honour to be trusted with information and situations that my mentees are facing/have faced, and I am constantly inspired by their bravery, ambition and courage."

Knowing someone feels safe sharing their challenges and situations with you, the trust that they have in you, is so significant.

Learning Goes Both Ways

"I believe we can always learn from each other, and I have gained insight from every woman I've had the privilege of mentoring."

Her experience as a mentee reinforces this. Her own mentors "have opened my mind to new possibilities and opportunities that I was unaware about." They've helped her make important connections with key people in the industry and provided encouragement and support. "They have helped me consider possibilities that I have not considered myself previously."

The exchange is not one-directional. Both mentors and mentees bring valuable perspectives that enrich each other's understanding.

Building Capability and Confidence

For anyone considering becoming a mentor for the first time, Ciska's encouragement addresses a common hesitation: "You are so much more capable than you think, and you do have what it takes to have a positive impact on someone else's life."

She breaks down what mentorship actually requires: "Mentorship is an incredibly rewarding pursuit and all it requires is commitment, passion about your industry and being open-minded and willing to help and share your experiences."

Having all the answers or a perfect career trajectory is not necessary. What makes a difference is showing up with genuine willingness to help.

Creating Community

For Ciska, mentorship connects to something larger than individual relationships. "We all have something to give, and sharing knowledge and insight can help other people personally and professionally. It is also important to create an open and safe space for women to connect with each other, to discuss challenges they are facing and to find a way forward."

"Above all I think it is incredibly important to build a community where women support each other - it makes us all stronger."

That community becomes particularly important in an industry where women still face specific challenges. Knowing others understand those challenges and can offer both practical guidance and emotional support makes the path more navigable.

Advice for Future Mentees

Ciska's message to anyone considering becoming a mentee emphasizes commitment and openness: "If you commit to becoming a mentee, you will meet inspiring people from whom you can learn a lot. Ultimately it is what you make of it, but if you put some effort into it, and retain an open mind, there is a great possibility that they will help you further your career and your personal development."

When asked what mentorship means to her in one word or sentence, "encouragement and support" is how Ciska defines it.

The Power of Dual Perspective

Ciska's experience as both mentor and mentee demonstrates how these roles complement each other. Being a mentor while also receiving mentorship keeps her grounded in what mentees actually need. Being a mentee while mentoring others reminds her that everyone, regardless of experience level, benefits from connection and guidance.