All posts by pac217

Noor, Charity and Development

Charity and Development Work, Geography

Noor, Geography student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain a better understanding of the Charity sector and have specific career related questions answered. Through the scheme, Noor was matched with the Chief Executive at The Haven. This mentor has also worked for the Royal Navy, Civil Service and Breast Cancer Haven.

“Take this opportunity and really engage with it”

Noor achieved all of her objectives, including a personal objective of gaining some understanding of the public sector which was achieved through meeting with her mentor and having in-depth conversations.

Noor shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The highlight for me was going to the workplace of my mentor for a face-to-face meeting. This gave me the opportunity to ask questions and for a conversation to flow much more naturally than it would have over the telephone.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found the detailed insight into my chosen sector the most useful part of the experience.

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

Having a mentor not only allowed me to develop my potential in regard to employability but made me more confident in my own abilities. I feel, thanks to the career mentor scheme, I am now in a more advantageous position to be filling out applications and attending interviews. I would definitely advise future students considering the scheme to take this opportunity and really engage with it!

Chloe, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, economics

Chloe, Economics with Econometrics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her application forms, receive advice with online testing and gain a better understanding of the accounting and audit industry. Through the scheme, Chloe was matched with the International Accounting and Audit Director at Crowe Horwath International. This mentor is an Executive Director, responsible for global audit leadership of an international network of accounting firms.

“I would highly recommend the Career Mentor Scheme to anyone who is looking to improve their employability.”

Chloe achieved all of her objectives including a personal objective: “I really wanted to explore the different roles within audit and accounting. My mentor really helped me do this and also provided really good advice regarding what employers look for in potential candidates. I also wanted to improve my CV and LinkedIn profile.”

Chloe told us more about her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The best part of this scheme was the regular contact I had with my mentor. We arranged monthly Skype calls and I felt really comfortable talking to him. We arranged our meetings so that I had objectives to complete between each session and that I could update my mentor about my progress. We always had things to discuss.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The insight into accounting/audit was really useful. I was applying to industrial placements whilst on the scheme and so having my mentor’s help during the application form process meant that I was able to improve my applications.

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

My mentor helped me to explore future career options, improve my CV and understand what employers are looking for in candidates. I would highly recommend the Career Mentor Scheme to anyone who is looking to improve their employability.

Elizabeth, Advertising, Marketing and PR

Advertising Marketing and PR, History

Elizabeth, History student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her prospects of pursuing a career in PR and Media. Through the scheme, Elizabeth was matched with an Account Executive for Road Communications, London, who specialises in Healthcare Accounts, such as medicines, medical technology and hospital services.

“I have found it great that my mentor is willing to stay in contact and help me with my career prospects in the future.”

Elizabeth shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

This has been a great opportunity to meet someone in the industry I wish to go into. Hearing about his experiences in the industry but also at university has really helped me in thinking about how I approach working life.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

It was great to get an insight into my chosen profession, particularly as I had secured work experience, and he was able to provide me with advice before my first day and during the process.

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

Definitely do it! You get out of the scheme exactly what you put it! The mentors are so willing to help and offer you whatever support you want. My mentor has agreed to stay in contact with me as he knows I don’t want to go straight into a career and want to spend time travelling.

Grace, Defence and Public Protection

Defence and Public Protection, law

Grace, Law student, was interested in a career with the Civil Service and so applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn more about life with a Government employer. Through the scheme, Grace was matched with a Civil Servant for the Ministry of Defence. This mentor is responsible for running government policy on engaging with international companies in defence.

“Learn about how the real world works in your desired sector”

Grace achieved all of her objectives including develop application techniques, increase knowledge of sector entry requirements and increase knowledge of effective interview techniques.

Grace told us more about her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

I feel a highlight of this scheme was being able to speak to my mentor before completing certain elements of an application form to receive the best hands-on advice.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found the insight into the profession most useful. I learnt about the good and bad elements of the sector and have been encouraged to continue pursuing a career in the public sector.

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

Do it! It is refreshing to speak to someone outside of the university and learn about how the real world works in your desired sector!

Katherine, Purchasing and Procurement

Biosciences, Purchasing and Procurement

Kathrine, Conservation Biology and Ecology student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her networking, receive advice on finding internships and learn about the different jobs available in this industry. Through the scheme, Kathrine was matched with the Senior Commercial Services Specialist for Cornwall Council. This mentor is qualified in Procurement and Supply Chain management, MSc Climate Change and Risk Management, and BSc Geography with Environmental Management.

“Transferable skills I am likely to use in the future.”

Katherine achieved all of her objectives including increased knowledge of public sector employment, widened her contacts and networking, and was offered a work experience placement.

Katherine shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The opportunity to work with the local council gives an interesting insight into management within the county. Getting to know my mentor was fun and he gave me some good networking opportunities.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Networking and internship in a field I would not normally have considered but will give transferable skills I am likely to use in the future.

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

It’s a useful insight into careers and a great way to improve and develop transferable skills, even if your mentor isn’t in your field of interest.

Samuel, Mining, Engineering and Natural Resources

Geology, Mining Environment and Natural Resources

Samuel, Applied Geology student, was interested in pursuing a career in the energy industry, and so applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn more about entering the job market in the industry. Through the scheme Samuel was matched with the Vice President of Exploration and Growth for BG Group, where she has worked for 26 years. This mentor has a BSc in Geology and a MSc in Petroleum Geology.

“Be proactive!”

Samuel achieved all of her objectives including gaining advice with regards to applying for a masters, receiving help with his CV and partaking in work experience.

Samuel shared his experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

  • Help applying for masters course
  • Introduction to other industry professionals
  • Experienced advice that is not available at university due to lack of oil/energy industry professionals

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Networking
  • CV advice

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

Be proactive!

Lucy, Law and Legal Services

English, Law and Legal Services

Lucy, an English Literature student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain insight into law, specifically the family law sector. Through the scheme, Lucy was paired with a Barrister at the Magdalene Chambers. This mentor has also been a Lecturer in Law at the University of Exeter.

“A fantastic networking opportunity”

Lucy achieved all of her objectives including increased knowledge of the good and bad aspects of the profession, knowledge of finding internships and improved personal development skills.

Lucy shared her experience with us:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

My mentor organised networking with a few of her solicitor friends. The evening was very informative and beneficial. I also helped out serving coffee to barristers at my mentor’s chambers prior to a lecture they were attending. This was a fantastic networking opportunity and we were also able to attend the lecture after.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Networking opportunities, lots of application help, general advice from somebody who has been through the process.

Nicola, Science

Geography, Science,

Nicola, a Geography student, was looking for guidance through the job hunting and applying process, along with building a professional . Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Nicola was matched with the Head in the Centre for Research Services for Forest Research, the researching agency of the Forestry Commission. This mentor has many qualifications including BA Geography, MSc Environment Forestry, PhD Remote Sensing of Forests and Fellow Institute of Chartered Foresters.

“A valuable experience which I fully enjoyed”

Nicola achieved all of her objectives including receiving help with postgraduate education choices and the application process, widening her contacts and networking opportunities and increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession.

Nicola shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

  • Gaining an insight into the Forestry Commission, including a tour of the research centre.
  • Help with gaining an internship in Iceland through advice from career mentor in a subject related to my academic dissertation.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Postgraduate advice
  • Insight into possible future profession
  • Help with gaining an internship

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

I would express the importance of always staying in contact with your mentor, and using the opportunity fully. For example visiting the work place and asking questions about their work. This was a valuable experience which I fully enjoyed and appreciated.

Olivia, Education, Teaching and Research

Education Teaching and Research, Geography, , ,

Olivia, a Geography student, wanted to gain insight into the teaching sector and thereby begin to develop the relevant skills for this profession. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Olivia was matched with a Geography Co-Ordinator for KS3 and KS4 at Gravesend Grammar School. Through this mentor’s role, he coordinates the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, monitors student progress and develops schemes of work.

“Advice that was specifically tailored to me”

Olivia achieved all of her objectives including increased her knowledge of the career by conducting a careers mentor interview, received academic support and increased knowledge of finding internships and work experience in this sector.

Olivia shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

The scheme was very beneficial to me, especially in helping me to gain information about many different ways into teaching and my careers mentor helped me a lot by providing many resources on this.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen profession and resources to help me into this. Also advice that was specifically tailored to me rather than just general advice about the sector.

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

The career mentor scheme is hugely beneficial in giving students the chance to get one to one advice from a professional that has been in their position.

Sarah, Charity and Development Work

Biosciences, Charity and Development Work, ,

Sarah, an Animal Behaviour student, was interested in a career in the Charitable Sector after volunteering for multiple charitable organisations. She wanted to learn more about the specific fields that are available in her specialism. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Sarah was matched with the Volunteering Development Manager for Children’s Hospice Association Scotland. This mentor also has a Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations foundation degree and vast employment history in this sector.

“For as little as one skype session per month you learn so much about life outside university!”

Sarah achieved all of her objectives including increased confidence and knowledge into this sector, increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession and received help to improve her CV.

Sarah shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I have really enjoyed being part of the career mentor scheme. My overall highlight was the opportunity to connect with someone who was knowledgeable about the sector I am interested in. Through this I now feel a lot more confident in my ability to find and apply for a job.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

An insight into what employers look for in an application form. I have gained tips on how to clearly put my skills forward. Through this I now feel more confident when applying for jobs.

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

Definitely go for it! The great thing about this scheme is that it fits around your timetable. For as little as one skype session per month you learn so much about life outside university! I have gained so much from the scheme, and would encourage anyone to participate.