Zahirah, Sustainable Development student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain advice on recruitment processes, particularly in large, global companies. Through the scheme, he was matched with the Associate Director of Atkins Plc. This mentor has many qualifications including BSc Honours Biology and MSc Environmental Resources, and is a Chartered Biologist and Chartered Environmentalist.

“Making the transition from a student to a job-seeking graduate”

Zahirah achieved all their objectives including gaining insight into the sector abroad, increased knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector and increased knowledge of job hunting resources in this sector.

Zahirah shared more about her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

• Making the transition from a student to a job-seeking graduate
• Gaining confidence
• Having a clearer idea of what I want to achieve in my life through my career
• Also my progress with my mentor was successful in that it will continue even after the career mentor scheme has ended.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the sector and insight into the progression from a graduate to higher status in this sector.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Make a note of when the list of available mentors will be released so you have a chance to view all potential mentors (as it is based on a first-come-first-served basis) increasing your chances of being mentored by someone as relevant to your field of desired work as possible. When you do find a mentor that you think would really benefit you in your career, the scheme becomes really helpful and valuable and definitely puts you ahead of the game.