All posts by Joanna Louise McCreedie

Barnaby, Environment and Natural Resources

Agriculture Farming and Animal Care, Environment and Natural Resources, Geography, Science

Barnaby, Geography student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to develop confidence with attending interviews and gain an understanding of working in this sector. Through the scheme, Barnaby was matched with a Biology graduate from the University of Exeter who is now an Associate Director at Atkins Plc.

Barnaby tells us more about his experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Barnaby achieved all of his objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge in finding internships and work experience in this sector
  • Improved personal development skills
  • Increased knowledge of sector entry requirements

Barnaby was also able to improve his understanding of key legislation affecting the industry.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The noticeable increase in my confidence when attending job interviews, largely due to the unique insights into the sector my mentor was able to provide me.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The opportunity to ask industry specific questions about the application/interview process that would be difficult to ask while networking.

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

The scheme provided me with an amazing opportunity to gain unique insights into my desired industry, and helped me to stand out when attending interviews. I’d advise every student to take part in the scheme to gain new contacts and an understanding from professionals who have been there before.

 

Katy, Education, Teaching and Research

Education Teaching and Research, History

Katy, English Literature and History student, applied to the Career Mentoring Scheme to gain a better understanding of what being in the teaching profession entails. Through the scheme, Katy was matched with a Geography graduate from the University of Exeter who is now the Head of Geography at Gravesend Grammar School.

Katy tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Katy achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector
  • Improved personal development skills
  • Increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession

Katy also achieved her personal objectives of completing a draft of her personal statement for a PGCE application before the application opened.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The highlight of the mentor scheme was being able to shadow classroom teachers in a local school, and get involved with the tasks assigned to students.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found the work experience and help with my personal statement most helpful. My mentor provided some outstanding advice on how to produce the best possible personal statement.

Lauren, Management and Consultancy

Accounting and Finance, economics, Management and Consultancy

Lauren, Economics and Finance student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain knowledge and advice about both specific sectors and working life in general. Through the scheme, Lauren was matched with a History graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Director at MJCL Consultancy Ltd with experience as a CFO and COO.

Lauren tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Lauren achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of finding internships and work experience in this sector
  • Improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector
  • Widened contacts and networking opportunities

What were your highlights of the scheme?

  • Meeting my career mentor
  • Adding to my network of professionals and meeting with a colleague to discuss career options in para planning
  • Reviewing CV advice
  • Gaining an offer work for experience next summer

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

All round provided very useful advice and guidance to a range of career related questions and problems.

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

Definitely do it – especially first head/anyone who is in the early stages of their career development.

Emma, Education, Teaching and Research

Education Teaching and Research, History

Emma, History student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to understand what makes a great teacher and how she can develop her skills to suit this. Through the scheme, Emma was matched with a Geography graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Geography Teacher and Head of Department at Rookwood School.

“I learnt so much more from my mentor than I found on websites and other careers resources”

Emma tells us more about her experience below:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

It was great to get an honest opinion about teaching – it was good to know what kind of skills and experience schools look for in teachers, and how I can best demonstrate this in my applications and interviews.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the sector, CV improvements, understanding what skills to develop for the sector.

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

The scheme is a great way of getting personal insight into the career sector you are interested in. I learned so much more from my mentor about the education sector and teaching than I found on websites and other careers resources because the personal experiences they could draw on. They provided great help with my CV and applications for further study/employment.

Hubert, Insurance, Pensions and Actuarial

History, Insurance Pensions and Actuarial

Hubert, History and International Relations student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme, to gain insight into the insurance industry and develop a professional network. Through the scheme, Hubert was matched with a Management Science and Operational Research graduate at the University of Exeter, who is now the Head of Product ENEA at MetLife.

Hubert tells us more about his experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Hubert achieved many objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector
  • Received help to improve CV
  • Received work experience

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The main highlight for me was having my mentor organise some work experience for me at MetLife’s Brighton office. This was highly insightful and gave me something relevant to the industry to put on my CV. Equally, meeting him at his Canary Wharf office to go over interview techniques was a fruitful experience.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Obtaining work experience and guidance on application forms.

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

If you are a student with very little experience of the industry you are looking to go into, the career mentor scheme can open doors and give you some useful insights into that industry; if you use it well.

Ella, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services

Ella, Law student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to receive advice on working at a law firm outside of the City. She was interested in learning about applications into the profession and making herself stand out. Through the scheme, Ella was matched with a Law graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Solicitor at Trowers & Hamlins LLP with much experience in Private Wealth.

Ella tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Ella achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector
  • Improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector
  • Increased knowledge of sector entry requirements

Ella also achieved some personal objectives of experiencing mock interviews, improving commercial awareness and help reviewing applications.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

  • I met up with my Mentor over coffee at least once a month
  • I had 2 mock interviews with various trainees and partners

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Mock interviews for Paralegal role and training contract
  • Meeting other partners in the firm that my Mentor worked for and listening to their advice
  • Having my mentor help me with my CV

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

This is such a good opportunity which gives you confidence with applications and interviews. I found it to be a positive experience; my mentor was so encouraging, giving me her experience and tips. In law it is so easy to get disheartened, but my mentor helped me to stay positive. She has given me a lot of good career advice. It is definitely worth doing – I have already had successful applications after the scheme.

Charlotte, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, Business and Management

Charlotte, Management with Marketing student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to expand her knowledge of different industries and learn more about building confidence in networking. Through the scheme, Charlotte was matched with a Management with History and Industrial Experience graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Senior Manager at Barclaycard with years of experience with the organisations and within the banking industry.

Charlotte tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Charlotte achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector
  • Improved personal development skills
  • Widened my contacts and networking opportunities

Charlotte also gained advice for her fourth year of studies and graduate job applications.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

CV check, shared with me his old CVs & personal development plans, mock telephone interview with one of my mentor’s colleagues.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

CV advice, talked through the whole application process and this gave insightful information which I did not know, mock telephone interview with really detailed feedback.

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

I would fully recommend applying for the scheme. You can shape the relationship with your mentor so there is such a wide range of things to get out of the scheme.

Joshua, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services

Joshua, Law student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain an understanding of the market and learn about legal sources of information to follow. He was in the process of applying for vacation schemes and sought guidance and critique on applications. Through the scheme, Joshua was matched with a Law graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Partner at Simmons & Simmons LLP with vast experience across the legal sector and in particular, real estate.

Joshua tells us more about his experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Joshua achieved all of his objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector
  • Received help to improve CV
  • Widened my contacts and networking opportunities

What were your highlights of the scheme?

I was invited to my mentor’s place of work to attend a networking event. This was an unbelievable experience as I had the opportunity to talk to a variety of lawyers and make meaningful links.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Contrasting the practical advice about the industry versus the perceptions I had.

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

“An unparalleled opportunity to network with high-performance professionals in the industry”

Victoria, Hospitality and Event Management

History, Hospitality and Event Management

Victoria, History and International Relations student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn about the requirements and skills demanded in an event management career. Through the scheme, Victoria was matched with an MSc International Management and BA Hons in Archaeology and Ancient History graduate from the University of Exeter who is now the European Operations Manager at Fluid Design and Construction.

Victoria tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Victoria achieved many objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of finding internships and work experience in this sector
  • Improved personal development skills, such as confidence building
  • Increased knowledge of sector entry requirements

Victoria also found her mentor helped her to choose her masters and found that shadowing enabled her to see if she was really interest in the field through the daily work insight.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

  • Precise advice given relatable to the field
  • Advice on my studies and work experience, whether it is enough or scarce
  • Up-to-date information on what employers search for in a CV

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Insight and shadowing
  • Help with my CV, LinkedIn profile and application questions

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

This is a really useful and privileged insight in your field that cannot be replaced. You have the privilege of contact with an employee who is able to share his/her up-to-date knowledge of the field. It is a useful resource to help decipher application questions and forms.

Robert, Politics and Government

Politics and Government, Politics and International Relations

Robert, Politics and International Relations student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to develop general employability skills after attending a variety of career zone talks which introduced him to areas such as constructing cover letters and impressing at interview. Through the scheme, Robert was matched with a Social Studies graduate from the University of Exeter, who is an elected Leader at Hampshire County Council.

Robert tells us more about his experience below:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

I am eternally grateful for the work experience opportunity that I was afforded during my scheme. Having the chance to experience life in local government was a truly enriching experience and I was given a varied experience by those who were supervising me; they allowed me to attend meetings and training shops in addition to gaining experience in doing some of the work that typically goes on.

The people were central to my enjoyment, with the whole department making me feel welcome in what was a new working environment for me. I would like to thank my mentor for not only offering this interning place, but for also meeting with me privately on many occasions to talk personal development and to chat about developments in Hampshire.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Work experience
  • Networking opportunities
  • Greater insight into the sector
  • Greater awareness of future pathways into the field of work
  • Assimilation of new knowledge

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

Know what you want from the experience before you apply, if its work experience, look for mentors who offer that. The scheme is tailored to what you need and should be a unique experience based on what you want. Don’t panic if other mentees are doing it differently – they will have different goals.