Recognizing What You Already Have: Molly Hennessy on Mentorship and Confidence

Transformational Journey

Molly Hennessy is a mechanical engineering student at the University of Galway with a hands-on role in motorsport that most students don't get to experience. As Maintenance Team Lead and Driver for the Geec - Ireland's most energy-efficient car - she's responsible for keeping the vehicle running smoothly and reliably while also operating it during test days, races, and media events.

But growing up in County Clare in the west of Ireland, pathways into professional motorsport weren't obvious. That's part of what drew her to the FIA Disability in Motorsport mentorship program.

Finding Shared Understanding

"I joined the mentorship program as a mentee because I wanted to take every opportunity I could to explore different industries early in my career," Molly explains. "It felt like the ideal way to get honest insights from someone with real experience and to learn what day-to-day work in the field actually looks like."

The similar background both Molly and her mentor Sara shared was what made the pairing special. "We both come from the west of Ireland, where there is plenty of enthusiasm for cars, meets, and rally culture, but very few pathways into the professional side of motorsport," Molly says. "Because opportunities in the industry are so limited, we both understood what it meant to pursue something that often felt out of reach."

That common experience created space for productive conversations. Sara could offer practical insights that came from having faced similar challenges, not just general advice.

A Shift in Perspective

One moment during the mentorship stood out. While Molly was talking through some experiences and projects, her mentor stopped her and pointed out something she hadn't noticed in herself.

"They said that the way I handled those situations showed I already had many of the skills I kept thinking I still needed to 'develop,'" Molly recalls. "Hearing that from someone with their experience made me look at those stories differently. It helped me recognise that I was already operating at a level I hadn't given myself credit for."

That observation changed how she approached her own abilities. "That shift made me more confident in my abilities and more willing to trust the skill set I have built so far."

Learning Resilience

The quality in her mentor that had the biggest impact was resilience. Sara had faced setbacks far bigger than Molly's, yet stayed determined and learned to adapt quickly when circumstances changed.

"Listening to how they handled unpredictable situations made their guidance feel incredibly relevant, especially in motorsport where plans can shift in an instant," Molly says. "Their experience showed me how valuable it is to stay flexible, reassess, and keep moving forward even when the path is not straightforward."

Adaptability in motorsport matters as much as technical knowledge.

Redefining What Mentorship Means

The experience changed how Molly thinks about mentorship itself. "I had always viewed mentorship as mainly advice-giving, but this relationship showed me that it is much more about perspective and confidence-building."

Having someone who truly understands your goals and challenges makes guidance feel more relevant and actionable. "It also made me realise how motivating it is to have someone genuinely invested in your progress, and how much faster you can grow when you are not trying to figure everything out alone."

Advice for Future Mentees

For anyone considering joining the program, Molly encourages people to "Absolutely go for it. You get out what you put in, so be open, ask questions, and make the most of the time you have with your mentor or mentee."

She emphasizes the significance of the impact: "It is a great chance to learn from someone with real experience, explore new perspectives, and build confidence in your own path. Even a few conversations can make a bigger difference than you might expect."

Resources for Growth

For women in her industry seeking development opportunities, Molly recommends programs like CreateHER at the University of Galway - a six-week, female-only initiative focused on self-belief, leadership skills, creativity, and innovation. "Being part of it really boosted my confidence and helped me learn to recognise and make the most of new opportunities, while also encouraging me to start seeking out or even creating my own," she says. The networking put her in rooms she might not have reached otherwise and helped form meaningful connections.

For those without access to similar programs nearby, she suggests Bernie Collins' How To Win a Grand Prix or Susie Wolff's autobiography.

The Value of Being Seen Clearly

Molly's story illustrates something important about mentorship: sometimes the most valuable thing a mentor can do is help you see yourself more accurately. When someone with experience recognizes capabilities you've been underestimating, it shifts how you approach opportunities.

From being a mechanical engineering student to working on cutting-edge sustainable motorsport technology, Molly is building a path in an industry that once felt out of reach. Having a mentor who understood that journey helped make the path feel easier to navigate.