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How mentoring helped Mohammadulla to find his first job in France
When I arrived in France, from Afghanistan, in 2022, I was 21 and completely overwhelmed. I barely spoke French, every street felt unfamiliar, and I didn’t know where to begin.
Everything changed the day I was matched with Laurent through DUO for a JOB. He wasn’t just a mentor — he became my first real connection in this new country. Laurent is an IT manager from Paris.
Week after week, Laurent guided me with patience. We rebuilt my CV, practiced interview answers, and talked about what I wanted for my future. More importantly, he helped me find confidence again. That support carried me further than I expected: thanks to our work together, I secured my first job in France as an interpreter. For me, it was a huge step toward independence. For Laurent, the experience was mutual. He often said with a smile, “In some ways, it’s selfish — I get as much from this as you do.”
Looking back now, I’m grateful for how far I’ve come.
To any young person facing what I faced, I would say this: believe in your dreams, work hard, and trust that with time — and the right support — you will succeed.