New perspectives: how Deloitte mentors are supporting young women in India as they pursue higher education.
From supporting well-being to skill-building workshops, ongoing mentorship plays a critical role in helping young women carve new paths and break generational cycles.
Each young woman deserves to achieve her full potential. In India, young women are 51% less likely to be employed than young men, particularly those without a secondary education. Through transformative scholarships and on-going mentorship, Deloitte India collaborates with non-profit organizations like Udayan Care to create opportunities for young women to succeed. Whether they’re a trailblazer in their community, or the first in their family to reach post-secondary education, students are supported by a Deloitte mentor that guides them through new experiences and opens their eyes to a world of possibilities.
Kajal is one such student. Supported by Udayan Care and her Deloitte India mentor, Sheetal Nagle, is now the first generation in the family to attend college. For Sheetal, the opportunity to help guide Kajal has been a gratifying experience. “Kajal has a positive demeanor,” Sheetal remarked. “Through regular, one-on-one meetings, we work through specific matters, like choosing the right college classes for her ambitions, while creating space for open discussion and opportunities for growth.” With Sheetal’s guidance and support, Kajal has been given both an invaluable role model and a broader perspective of what’s possible for her future.
“…Through regular, one-on-one meetings, we work through specific matters, like choosing the right college classes for her ambitions, while creating space for open discussion and opportunities for growth.”
– Sheetal Nagle, Mentor and Financial Advisory Director, Deloitte India
As her mentor, Sheetal has watched Kajal’s confidence grow exponentially through their time together. “The only thing that was holding these bright girls back were resources and opportunity. They have ambition and intelligence; they just need support. So, as mentors, we provide the opportunities they need to build critical skills,” says Sheetal. Providing quality education, skill development, and access to opportunities are key steppingstones to uplifting generations of young women, and it all contributes to a positive, enduring impact for each young woman in the program.
While Sheetal says the nuances are different with each student, her experience as a mentor has been worthwhile because, “it’s a great platform for our people to share their knowledge and experiences. Deloitte's WorldClass program is about using our resources, our people, to make a difference.” With the capacity to address local challenges within a global context, each Deloitte firm has the potential to define their WorldClass programs by what challenges matter most to their people, while creating space for each person to contribute meaningfully.
“...it’s a great platform for our people to share their knowledge and experiences. Deloitte's WorldClass program is about using our resources, our people, to make a difference.”
– Sheetal Nagle, Mentor and Financial Advisory Director, Deloitte India
Kajal now aspires to use her future college degree as a steppingstone towards a meaningful career as a journalist. In addition to supporting scholarships for Udayan Care’s participants, Deloitte’s mentors are also engaged in large-scale volunteering opportunities, including: soft skills and capacity-building sessions, one-on-one mentoring that helps them unlock potential, and goal-setting that can help enable students to achieve their biggest aspirations.
In supporting Udayan Care, Deloitte is helping young women across India discover new opportunities, find their voice, and become empowered — for life.
