Giving your time as a mentor or hosting an internship is one of the most rewarding ways to support students. Since 2011, more than 1,770 volunteer mentors have helped Birmingham students discover the possibilities open to them, overcome challenges through shared insights, and develop their career ideas.
A change of direction
Yana Petrikov (BSc Psychology, 2018) was mentored by Valerie Hughes-D’Aeth (BSc Industrial Economics and Business Studies, 1981), Director of Human Resources at the BBC:
'Being mentored has changed my life. It’s been an amazing experience; Valerie has been so supportive and understanding. Through shadowing Valerie, I found out that HR might not be the best career path for me. That was equally as helpful as finding out that it was what I wanted to do.'
Time to reflect...
Valerie Hughes-D’Aeth (BSc Industrial Economics and Business Studies, 1981), Director of Human
Resources at the BBC mentored Yana Petrikov (BSc Physchology, 2018):
'We all have busy lives and
many of us don’t take enough time to
stand back and reflect on career
decisions that we need to make.
Mentoring gives time and space and a
safe supportive environment in which to
talk through different options.
'I think that most of us can look
back on our lives and name people who
have had a real influence on career
decisions we have made. They are the
people who have taken the time to
encourage us but also challenge our
thinking. Being one of those people
by mentoring through the University is a
great privilege. It also has the added
benefit of keeping you in touch with
the next generation as they move into
the workplace.'
Unbelievably useful
Matt Beswick (BSc Economics, 2018) was mentored by Lucy Baldwin (BSc Economics, 2004), Managing Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch:
‘Having a mentor who has
had wide experience in such great
roles in the sector you want to go into
is unbelievably useful. I was lucky
because Lucy’s career path is the
exact one I want to take.
‘I’m very grateful to her for all the
time she gave to me, the times she
reassured me when I was uncertain,
met me before I went to interviews,
and checked my applications. She
was constantly on hand whenever
I needed advice.’
Providing perspective
Lucy Baldwin (BSc Economics,
2004), Managing Director at Bank of
America Merrill Lynch, mentored Matt
Beswick (BSc Economics, 2018):
'I was in exactly the same
position as Matt; super keen but
lacking the networks and the
knowledge to make informed choices
when I left university. I know how it
feels and how much I’d have valued
having someone to give me some
context and perspective.
'For me as a mentor it’s been a good
way to feel like I’m giving something
back to the University that set me up
so well for my career, and it’s a great
way to grow as a business leader
myself. We all know mentoring forces
you to think about the bigger picture,
put things into context and make sure
you know how to explain things in a
straightforward way.'
Just go for it
Melissa Tindall (BSc Biological
Sciences, 2018) is receiving career
advice from Sam Decombel (BSc Biological
Sciences, 2002; PhD Biosciences,
2006):
‘One of the main things I’ve learnt from Sam is to just go for opportunities, even if they may be daunting. I also think she’s shown me how life experiences, both good and bad, help you to form your career. I’ve learnt that failing occasionally should not be seen as a setback but as something to learn from.’
Real life experience
Sam Decombel (BSc Biological
Sciences, 2002; PhD Biosciences,
2006) mentored Melissa Tindall (BSc Biological
Sciences, 2018):
'On the Alumni Leadership
Mentoring Programme (ALMP), I
initially felt ‘ordinary’ next to some of
the other mentors, but soon realised
that you don’t have to know everything
about everything. I’m matched with
students who studied the same subject
as me, and they want to hear your
real-life experiences.'
Could you become a mentor?
If you are interested in mentoring a student, please get in touch with a brief summary of your career area. You can also share your expertise through joining our LinkedIn group.