From Mentee to Mentor: Tessa’s Journey with Her Allies

Tessa Polumsky a Talent Acquisition Project Management Strategist based in Portland, Oregon.

“When you don’t interview for a long time, it’s hard to represent yourself and your brand. I think that’s the hardest  part, relearning how I can express myself concisely and in a data-driven way.”

Tessa Polumsky, a Talent Acquisition Project Management Strategist based in Portland, Oregon, never imagined she would be laid off from Meta in early 2023. But when she did, she turned a challenging situation into an opportunity for growth and empowerment. After finding Her Allies on LinkedIn, Tessa knew she found a community that resonated with her values.

“When I joined as a mentee, I had two mentors—one on the East Coast and one in Canada, both in HR. It was great to have people who understood what was going on, especially since 2023 was a tough year for talent acquisition and HR professionals,” Tessa shared. 

The support she received from Her Allies was crucial, particularly the interview preparation sessions and mock interviews. 

“When you don’t interview for a long time, it’s hard to represent yourself and your brand. I think that’s the hardest  part, relearning how I can express myself concisely and in a data-driven way.”

Her Allies provided Tessa with more than mentoring. They also offered a community where she could connect with others going through similar experiences.

“The most impactful piece for me was that I wasn’t alone as a mentee. It was nice to be in a place where you had that community and could connect with like-minded people and women going through similar things. We could take our guard down for a minute and just be people.”

Giving Back From A New Job

After nearly a year of job searching, Tessa landed her current role at MetLife. But her journey with Her Allies didn’t end there. Inspired by the support she received, Tessa was determined to give back. She joined the Her Allies Program Committee and began working alongside Joyce Cheng and Vicki Yang, key figures in the organization.

“Now that I’m a volunteer and a mentor, I still feel the same way. I know what it’s like, and I’ve just come off it, so it’s very applicable to me. I’m diving in headfirst to help as many people as I can. It’s great to see the impact, whether it’s helping with more interviews or even being the connection to help someone get a job.”

Tessa is now mentoring a former Meta colleague she referred to the program. Her passion for helping others is evident. 

“I’ve always gravitated towards being around women in the workplace. Having a space to come together is important because we may not have as many women in our workplace or even our lives. Women can come to Her Allies safely—they don’t have to pay to get their CV and interviews reviewed.”

For Tessa, Her Allies stood out among other organizations she considered. 

“It wasn’t my dream to be laid off, but I interviewed with other organizations for support during this time. Her Allies has a clear focus with clear expectations and a small enough community that I felt connected. Many places have great intentions, but they are so large that people get lost, whether mentors or mentees. Her Allies is different—there’s one common thread here for us all.”

Tessa’s advice is simple to those considering volunteering:

“Just jump in and don’t overthink it. Know you can help someone in whatever capacity, and take a chance to help others.”

Tessa’s journey from mentee to mentor shows the power of community and the impact of paying it forward. Her Allies helped her regain her professional footing and inspired her to help others do the same.