Giovanna Bongiorno is pursuing a bachelor of law and commerce at Curtin University. She currently serves as treasurer of the Curtin Student Law Society while working as a consultant on the employment team at KPMG.

Speaking on a recent episode of The Protégé Podcast, Bongiorno unveiled her “three-tiered relational network”, a concept she firmly believes will empower future generations of lawyers to cultivate security, support, and passion in their lives.

Bongiorno has crafted this relationship network based on her journey and the meaningful connections she has nurtured. She expressed how these connections have provided her with a profound sense of “security” and “support”, enabling her to thrive.

“This is something that I think I’ve formulated in my mind over time and where, as I’ve watched where my relationships have succeeded and where I felt most secure, supported and passionate, happy with what I’m doing is when this relational tier structure is really strong and prominent in my life,” she said.

She also expressed how the people in her life have profoundly shaped her perspective on these relationships.

“It’s something that I’ve been blessed to have learnt from the people around me, and it’s a mentality that I’ve been taught from my leaders and friends and watched as I’ve had the opportunity to mentor other people,” Bongiorno said.

Bongiorno illustrated how her “three-tired relational network” has significantly influenced her perspective on relationships, both personally and professionally.

“The way that I see relationships or a really strong relational network in my own life, and the way that I think that it plays out super well in other people’s lives, is when we have three tiers of relationships in our life,” she said.

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The first tier consists of mentors, whom Bongiorno described as individuals embodying the aspirations and achievements one seeks to attain.

“At the top, you have mentors, people who are where you want to be or someone who you aspire to be like. These are the people who might be a little bit older, more experienced. They’ve achieved something that you see as inspiring or a goal you’re striving to reach,” she said.

Bongiorno emphasised how these guiding lights aren’t distant idols but invested companions dedicated to nurturing growth.

“They’re people who you’re not just looking up to from afar but actually have a relationship with. They’re people who are willing to invest time and energy into you and sacrifice a little bit so that they can see you succeed.

“I think that’s important so that you can feel like you’re working towards something, and that’s giving you satisfaction in your work, knowing that you’re working towards a goal and you have people who are supporting you, leading you, and showing you how to achieve that goal,” Bongiorno said.

The second tier of Bongiorno’s relational network includes close friends with whom one can freely express their ethnic identity.

“Secondly, you have your friends, your people who are not just acquaintances or people that you’re sort of walking the journey alongside, but people who you can be vulnerable with, people who you love and understand,” she said.

Bongiorno emphasised how these individuals are not mere companions but confidants who embrace strengths and weaknesses, offering unwavering support and understanding.

“You see their weaknesses and you still decide to love them, and you see their strengths and you’re not envious of them, but you decide to support them. And I think a lot of people recognise the value of friendship and have those strong friendships in their life, but not necessarily strong friendships,” she said.

She also distinguishes between superficial friendships and those rooted in genuine care and mutual encouragement.

“There’s such a difference between friends who are and who you’re competing with or feel a little bit of comparison compared to friends who are really supporting you and helping you, and you’re in it together. So I think that’s super important as well,” Bongiorno said.

Finally, Bongiorno emphasised the importance of mentees, highlighting the significance of paying forward the support they once received throughout their careers.

“Then lastly, mentees, people who you are mentoring, and no matter what stage of life you’re at, I have always believed that there are people who you can sow into, people who you can bless and who you can help, because there’s previously been a position that you’ve been in that you’ve needed help and have grown out of that space, but there’s someone who’s still in that space,” Bongiorno said.

She underscored the importance of extending a helping hand to those facing hurdles and challenges you once encountered.

“I like to think that I can always be someone who, whether it’s like I came out of high school five years ago, I know what it’s like to be in high school, I can help someone in high school, or when I get into my career, OK, I know what it’s like to have gone through university. Who in the university can I support? I make them feel like they have someone they can confide in,” she said.

The “three-tired relation network” cultivated by Bongiorno serves as a blueprint for individuals beginning their careers in the legal industry, seeking to nurture relationships that enrich their lives and foster self-improvement.