All posts by Joanna Louise McCreedie

Emily, Management and Consultancy

Geography, Management and Consultancy

Emily, Geography student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain real world advice and insight into the different job roles that exist. She also wanted to build a network and develop her CV. Through the scheme, Emily was paired with a Business Economics graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Management Consultant at Accenture with over six years’ experience in the consulting sector.

Emily tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Emily achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector
  • Improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector
  • Increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession

What were your highlights of the scheme?

I really enjoyed getting a professionals perspective on my CV. It was interesting to see the changes my mentor made and the comments he had. I also enjoyed maintaining a relationship/ communication with my mentor, it is clear that my mentor is now a connection for life and if I ever need to reach out to them, I am more than welcome.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

My mentor gave a really honest insight into the world of consulting. This along with an internship helped me decide that perhaps it wasn’t the sector for me, and therefore the help my mentor gave me in making this decision was very helpful.

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

Really take your time to decide who you want and what you want them for. Some aren’t willing to give internship and work experience opportunities so don’t have your heart set on this. Think about the wider benefits they can give you.

Anya, Charity and Development Work

Charity and Development Work, English, History, , ,

In Term 2 of her first year Anya applied to the Career Mentor Scheme because she was looking for guidance and advice about how to get into Charity and Development work. After submitting a successful application, Anya was matched with a New Business Development Manager at Parkinsons UK.

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Through the scheme and Hannah’s help Anya achieved every single objective she had at the beginning of the scheme, including gaining work shadowing, having her CV proofread and improved and developing her interview techniques.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor kindly arranged two work insight days at her current and previous places of work. These days were incredibly valuable; rather than follow my mentor around all day, she had arranged short meetings with a variety of people, all of whom gave lots of different advice. I loved receiving a range of insights from different people.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I loved having a relatable role model in the sector – my mentor was young, female and had a similar background to me. I knew I could trust what she was saying and her advice was even more poignant because of its relevance to me.

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

This scheme is an absolute dream. It provides a supported, informal entrance to your chosen sector with individualized help from someone who already has experience. For me, there is no better way to find out information about a sector, profession or company. It even gives generalized advice about the workplace, the transition from university to working life, and career progression. Moreover, it allows you to build a rapport with a contact within an organization which goes beyond the end of the scheme.

The highlight for the mentor was:

“Having the opportunity to support someone so enthusiastic in the sector I was working in, and being able to understand her questions as it was where I was at 5 years ago.  The opportunity to stay connected to my university and offer a student real insight into a place of work.”

Jessica, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, economics, ,

Jessica, coming from an Economics degree participated in the Career Mentor Scheme and her mentor was a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank.

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This mentor provided Jessica with a lot of advice and insight into the industry. As a result Jessica developed her understanding of the industry as a whole – in particular she found out more about the reactions to new regulatory requirements.

Here is what she shared about the Career Mentor Scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor went over and above what I expected from the scheme in terms of support. We emailed regularly over the course of the scheme particularly over summer and I went to his office every 3 weeks to discuss various queries. One of the major highlights for me was the support I received from my mentor in the run up to my Morgan Stanley interview – I was asked questions surrounding regulation in my interview and my mentor gave me various material to ensure I was fully prepared for these questions. My mentor always replied promptly to my emails whenever I sent them – even when he was travelling regularly abroad!

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the industry and opportunities beyond the operations department in Morgan Stanley being the sector I have secured a year placement. Being able to speak to someone directly within the profession who deals with regulation – he was able to explain to me how it is impacting a number of broad departments within the bank. Gained a long term contact – still keeping in touch and hope to possibly go into Asset Management at a later stage of my life in Deutsche Bank.

 

Gemma, Charity and Development Work

Charity and Development Work, Politics and International Relations, , , , , ,

Gemma was interested in getting into Charity and Development Work. Studying towards a Politics and International Relations degree she applied for the Career Mentor Scheme and was as a result matched with a Fundraising (Development) Manager at the University of Exeter.

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Gemma found the mentoring partnership extremely helpful. She shared with us how the Career Mentor Scheme has helped her career development.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

The highlights of the scheme were gaining a real insight into the advantages and disadvantages of the not for profit sector, in particular the area of fundraising. My mentor was able to provide me with detailed information that is impossible to just find online. I was able to really consider what work experience I need to gain to prepare for my career and the steps required to gain a job.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found that insight into the not for profit sector was the most useful aspect of the mentor scheme.

 

Victoria, Retail

Business and Management, Retail, ,

During her second year Management with Marketing student Victoria was lucky enough to be matched with the CEO of the White Company.

This mentor has various professional experiences within Retail and Marketing. He has previously been President of MIM, who have 300 stores in France and Belgium and also a Group Managing Director of New Look Retailers.

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Victoria had an outstanding experience being mentored. She shared details of the ways in which she benefited from the scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

The highlight for me was getting to work for The White Company as my part of my placement year. My mentor has been incredibly helpful and I cannot thank him enough.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The Career Mentor Scheme has provided me with invaluable experience. I was lucky enough to get the CEO of The White Company as my mentor. My mentor allowed me to participate in a work shadowing day where I saw different parts of marketing and how they run; from insight and analysis to multichannel and social media. I enjoyed this so much and knew this was somewhere I wanted to work in the future. Through the help and support of my mentor, I was able to work for The White Company as my placement year. I am continually learning on the job and feel I have really broadened my perspective and insight into the multi-faceted marketing industry.
My mentor has continually helped me to explore different parts of marketing even on my placement year, encouraging me to explore the world of PR and Social Media. My mentor is without a doubt a role model for me.

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

My advice to anyone thinking of applying to this scheme would be to go for it! If I hadn’t participated in this scheme I would not have broadened my skill-set during my year in industry as much as I have done at The White Company.

The highlight of the scheme for the mentor was:

“Victoria now has a clearer understanding of Marketing by [getting] real time paid experience“

 

 

Leah, Charity and Development Work

Charity and Development Work, Psychology, ,

Between May of her penultimate year and October of her final year, Leah, doing Psychology was mentored by a Fundraising and Communications Manager at Headway Devon.SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Leah shared some insights from the scheme with us.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My highlight was meeting my mentor in person, and being able to discus my career options, and gain insight a specific sector.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

It was really useful to gain personal feedback on my CV and to practice application forms.

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

The Career Mentor Scheme is really worthwhile, and I would urge all students to participate. It enabled me to receive personal feedback and advice for the future, gain an insight into the sector, and build a friendship with my mentor.

Oliver, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, History, , ,

Oliver, a History student participated in the Career Mentor Scheme and his mentor was a Global Head of Equities & Strategy at Jupiter Asset Mgmt.

This mentor has previously held a variety of positions in his career. He started off as Fund Manager at Sun Alliance Insurance Group and then moved to Senior Portfolio Manager at Fleming & Co. In 1999 he became head of Japan Portfolios Group at JP Morgan Asset Management until in 2007 he became Chief Investment Strategist for EMEA at JP Morgan Private Bank. In 2011 he joined Caledonia Investments plc as Head of Global Equity Income & Growth Team before moving to Jupiter Asset Mgmt.

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Oliver had some really great feedback to give about the scheme. The mentoring partnership with his mentor helped him obtain job hunting resources and gain an insight into the career. He also developed professional contacts and learned more about the entry requirements.

What was the highlight of the scheme for you?

Meeting my mentor – this was beneficial in a way that is often hard to achieve simply via email.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

My mentor’s advise was very honest and showed me how best to approach a career in the sector from the position that I was in.

Katie, Management and Consultancy

English, History, Management and Consultancy, , , ,

Katie wanted to go into the Management and Consultancy sector. Through the Career Mentor Scheme she was matched with a Revenue Director at Microsoft. This mentor went into Management and Consultancy. His recent previous employment includes being a Head of Business Development at MSN Asia between 2008 and 2012 and Head of Commercial Partnerships between 2012 and 2014.

Katie benefited hugely from the mentoring partnership. She achieved all personal development and career development objectives, such as improving her listening and confidence building skills and receiving help with application forms.

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What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Learning about the Marketing sector from an experienced marketer.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Gaining useful contacts that have enabled me to secure work experience and a summer internship.

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

Don’t be afraid to ask your career mentor for something you want [i.e. work shadowing].

Josephine, Education, Teaching and Research

Education Teaching and Research, Modern Languages, , , ,

Josephine wanted to get into the Education, Teaching and Research sector. Through the Career Mentor Scheme she was matched with Headteacher at Ratcliffe College.

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Being mentored really helped Josephine develop her career path.

My mentor helped me to consider different pathways into teaching and which was most suited to me.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

The advice my mentor gave me about what Head Teachers look for when employing staff was invaluable as he also encouraged me to further my personal development in order to stand out in the future.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The insight my mentor gave me into the interview and application process from the point of view of an employer.

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

Mentors can give you invaluable information about what employers look for and how you can make yourself stand out from the field.

The highlight of the scheme for the mentor was:

“Hearing my mentee report back with audible excitement on work experience she had undertaken at my advice, that reinforced her desire to entire the teaching profession.” 

Anna, Science

Biosciences, Science, ,

Anna, a Biosciences student applied for the Career Mentor Scheme and was lucky enough to be matched with previously a Vice President of GSK. This mentor has a range of experiences with some of her previous employment includes Head of Pathology at Unilever, Scientific Director at Quintiles England and Director of Non-Clinical Development at Oxford GlycoSciences.

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Anna was really positive about the experience of being mentored and gave us some really great feedback.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I loved working with my mentor as she was very friendly and open to help about everything. All conversations and discussions with her were useful and relaxed.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Being supported by someone who is important in the field. It is good to know that someone who has already established themselves in that area is willing to help you do the same.

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

It is an amazing opportunity and I do not regret taking it. I met an amazing person, who helped me focus on what I need and realise what it is that I really want to achieve.