In 2015 the University's employability service, Careers Network, marked five years since the launch of its mentoring schemes matching alumni with students. Mentors on the programmes share knowledge, act as role models and promote the growth of employability skills, making a significant contribution to a student's personal and social development. Since the launch of the campus-wide mentoring schemes more than 700 students have benefited from the support of alumni and friends.
To celebrate the contribution that our volunteers make and the achievements of our student mentees, Careers Network held a "Celebrating Five Years of Mentoring" event in October 2015. In addition, mentors and mentees from the Alumni Leadership Mentoring Programme (ALMP) celebrated the close of their yearly programme at the House of Lords, hosted by current mentor Baroness Doreen Massey (BA French Language & Literature, 1961; PGCE Education, 1962). ALMP connects students with experts who are passionate about helping the University’s outstanding students to achieve their goals and offer invaluable advice.
Current mentees explain what being part of the mentoring scheme means to them…
'Having that person who can remind you of what you really want and really drill down into your motivations is the perfect grounding device – especially during final year when you can find yourself being pulled in various directions between academic work and graduate schemes.'
Sebastian Lear, 4th Year Business Management Student'Shadowing my mentor has given me a real insight into what happens at Hospital Trust Board meetings and how decisions are reached; and also provides an opportunity to meet other people in leadership and management positions. I would not have been given these opportunities without being mentored, and I'm so grateful for the opportunities provided by engaging in this scheme.'
Jessica Court, 4th Year Medical Student
It is not just the mentees that benefit from the programmes, mentors can also learn a lot and enjoy the experience of "giving something back"…
'I had forgotten what I did not know when I was a student. For example, how the business world works, how you communicate with people in a business environment, how your knowledge continues to grow. Helping someone who literally has the world at their feet was both humbling and inspiring.'
Alex Eichhorn (BA African Studies, 1995), Managing Partner, Tanager Wealth Management LLP'The bonds and benefits of university life extend throughout one's career. That's why so many alumni want to loop back and support the University by giving their time, wisdom or making a gift to fund development projects for the next generation.'
Cilla Snowball CBE (BA French, 1981), Group Chairman and Group CEO at AMV BBDO
Graduates Will and Sam gained a valuable insight from their mentors during the programme…
'The Alumni Leadership Mentoring Programme provided me with a bridge of insight and confidence over the daunting, uncertain gap between student life and the world of work.’
Will Hazelton (BA Ancient History, 2014)'Talking to my mentor enabled me to find out more about myself and what drives me, and gave me clarity about what I wanted to do when I graduated - something I hadn't been able to decide for four years! The whole experience changed how I viewed the future, transforming it from a daunting wall to something exciting, full of possibility.'
Sam Parr, (BA English with Creative Writing with Year in Computer Science, 2015)
Find out more about our mentoring schemes including the Alumni Leadership Mentoring Programme and the Graduate Mentoring programme, which provides help to final year students who are yet to secure a job or seek further study after graduation.
To apply to become a mentor or find out more about the programme, please contact us.