All posts by pac217

William, Insurance, Pensions and Actuarial

Accounting and Finance, Insurance Pensions and Actuarial

William, Finance student, had spent time throughout his degree interacting with employers but applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn more about the financial industry in practice. Through the scheme, William was matched with an Exeter alumnus who is now the UK Product Director for MetLife. He has also worked for ZFS in Switzerland, Hong Kong and the UK.

“It can only have positive implications for your career.”

William achieved all of his objectives including a personal objective of gaining general career advice.

William shared his experience:

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found the career advice the most useful aspect of the scheme. My mentor provided advice relating to structuring my job search and organising my applications. He also provided his advice on general queries I had about the world of work. I found these aspects most useful.

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

I don’t see why a student wouldn’t apply for the career mentor scheme. It can only have positive implications for your career.

Jessica, Management and Consultancy

Business and Management, Management and Consultancy

Jessica, Business and Management student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn more about starting her own business and gain advice from an experienced professional. Through the scheme, Jessica was paired with the Founder of International Dance Supplies Ltd, specialising in Entrepreneurship. This mentor has been running her own businesses for over 30 years and has experience across the business departments.

“My mentor provided an inspiring life story, and I hope to follow in her entrepreneurial footsteps”

Jessica achieved all of her objectives achieved including gaining an understanding of how a mail order/online business operates in all of its many areas, increased knowledge of sector entry requirements and increased knowledge of the good and bad aspects of the profession.

Jessica told us more about her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Visiting my mentor at work for two days and spending time with her talking her talking about the growth of her business, as well as mine.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into life as a successful entrepreneur.

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

It’s a unique opportunity to connect with a successful mentor who is more than willing to help you achieve your own goals.

Ian, Engineering and Product Design

Engineering, Engineering and Product Design

Ian, Mechanical Engineering student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to received guidance, support and insight in the Engineering Industry. Though the scheme, Ian was matched with an Exeter alumnus who is a self-employed Technical and Commercial Consultant. This mentor is also a Chartered Engineer and has a BSc in Physicals and Pure Mathematics.

“The career mentor scheme keeps you on the right path.”

Ian achieved all of his objectives including a personal objective of widening thoughts in terms of potential engineering fields to research.

Ian told us more about his experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The advice that I received from Peter has been invaluable.  From his guidance about my CV to opening my eyes to possible other fields has been great.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The advice and discussion about different engineering internships.

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

It is a great opportunity to speak with an industry professional. Due to all the work that we do we can lose sight of the end goal. The career mentor scheme keeps you on the right path through this period to keep you focused and motivated for the future.

Lydia, Environment, Conservation and Management

Environment and Natural Resources, Theology

Lydia, Theology student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to build relationships, gain insight into her desired industry and received advice about job interviews. Through the scheme, Lydia was matched with an Exeter Alumna who is now a Director and Advisor with several charitable and professional environmental bodies. This mentor also red BSc Biology and Geography and MSc Conservation.

“Really helpful transferable skills”

Lydia achieved all of her objectives including improved cover letter writing skills, improved personal development skills and increased knowledge of finding internships and work experience in this sector.

Lydia shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Arranging to meet my mentor successfully.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Reassurance that my CV was up to scratch and impressive, and that my covering letter was written well.

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

Think carefully about the career you want to go into and choose a mentor accordingly. I decided, having had my mentor, that I didn’t want to go into that profession. I still learnt useful things about my CV and covering letter though, which are really helpful transferable skills.

Lara, Charity and Development Work

Charity and Development Work, History

Lara, History student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain key employability skills, but also learn more about pursuing a career in the charitable sector. Through the scheme, Lara was matched with the Alumni Relations Manager at Royal Holloway, University of London. This mentor’s role involves managing relationships, drafting communications and organising events for both staff and students.

“Receive first hand advice in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.”

Lara achieved many objectives including receiving an offer of future help with applications, advice on using LinkedIn successfully and improved personal development skills.

Lara shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

I really enjoyed the scheme and meeting my mentor in person was a key highlight as it allowed me to have a really in depth discussion about my career options, and receive a lot of advice personal to me.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Important advice on how best to fill out applications and networking opportunities.

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

It really is such a great opportunity to gain a real insight into your chosen sector and receive first hand advice in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

Zahirah, Mining Environment and Natural Resources

Mining Environment and Natural Resources

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.

Naomi, Education, Training and Research

Education Teaching and Research, Geography

Naomi, Geography student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to interact and learn from a current practicing teacher and find out more about how their career progressed. Through the scheme, Naomi was matched with a Teacher of Mathematics at Charterhouse. This mentor teaches students across ages 13 to 18, include IGCSE, Cambridge Pre U and IB diploma.

“Anybody considering applying to the scheme should do so”

Naomi achieved all of her objectives including to learn more about teaching in different types of schools, such as independent and state-sector, receiving academic support and increasing knowledge of finding internships and work experience in this sector.

Naomi shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The highlight of my time during the scheme has to be the honest and real insight into teaching I gained from my mentor. She discussed the highs and lows of the job with me, not to scare me but to make me aware of all the different aspects of teaching that I must consider. I can use this knowledge to develop suitable skills before I start applying for my PGCE and teaching positions. My mentor was lovely and always more than happy to answer any of my questions and help me with my CV. She is extremely personable and really well suited to the role of being a mentor.

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

The Career Mentor Scheme is an extremely worthwhile venture and anybody considering applying to the scheme should do so. Personally, I think the biggest benefit of being a mentee is having the opportunity to gain a real and honest insight into a career/job that you are hoping to get into, the highs and lows. This is really important when developing skills that will strengthen job applications and interviews. My mentor was extremely friendly and was always happy to answer any questions I had and advise me on my CV. I had a really good experience with the Career Mentor Scheme and now feel more prepared for a career in teaching.

Lemoy, Financial Markets and the City

economics, Financial Markets and the City

Lemoy, Economics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her employability skills and build up her interview techniques. Through the scheme, Lemoy was matched with a Markets Specialist for the Financial Conduct Authority. His main responsibilities include advising on investigations into insider dealing and market manipulation.

“It was really useful having a mock interview”

Lemoy achieved many objectives including increased knowledge of sector entry requirements, widened contacts and networking opportunities and increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector.

Lemoy shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

One highlight was seeing my mentor at his place of work, which really inspired me to achieve more and get into the financial industry. It was also really useful having a mock interview in his offices, which made it seem more realistic. It also helped with real interviews I had after this, as the first one I had arranged offered me the job!

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I definitely found the mock interview the most useful part of this process. I always suffered from nerves going into an interview, but having practice ones made me more confident in real ones. Also, the fact that I now have a contact within an industry I’m interested in joining is invaluable.

Juliet, Media, Publishing and Journalism

English, Media Publishing and Journalism

Juliet, English student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to begin networking and learning about the work life balance of the industry and profession. Through the scheme, Juliet was matched with  a Global Rights and Permissions Manager for Cambridge University Press. This mentor’s main responsibilities in this role include operations management and overseeing permissions clearance.

“Extremely inspiring and motivating”

Juliet achieved all of her objectives including improved cover letter writing skills, increased knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector and help with her CV.

Juliet shared her experience with us:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

One of my highlights was work experience. I found entering an organisation with an established contact easier for networking. My mentor set me up with other departments, allowing me to gain a varied experience of publishing.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Work experience and further insight into the profession from someone who had completed the same course as I am currently on.

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

Learning from someone else who has been in the same position that you are currently in is extremely inspiring and motivating, making you think: I can get my ‘dream’ career.

Ruth, Language and Translation

English, Language and Translation, Modern Languages

Ruth, English student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain advice on how to gain work experience in the industry and improve her employability. Through the scheme, Ruth was paired with a Self-employed Translator and Teacher at Sarah L. Kirkby Uebersetzungen. This mentor’s main responsibilities include translation of texts including quality and punctuality, and teaching of English to all levels.

“Well worth getting involved in”

Ruth achieved many objectives including received very good, detailed advice about the sector itself, increased knowledge of sector entry requirements and improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector.

Ruth shared her experience:

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found the advice I was given about good and bad aspects and the logistics of working in that profession to be very useful.

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

If you are thinking of going into a specific sector this will give you so much more insight than a simple google search and yahoo answers! Well worth getting involved in.