Category Archives: Education Teaching and Research

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.

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.

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.

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.

Huijian, Education, Training and Research

Education Teaching and Research, Modern Languages, , ,

Huijian, a TESEOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) student, was interested in a career in teaching and wanted help to improve her English teaching skills and classroom management. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Huijian was matched with a retired Head teacher with employment history as a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for the Yellow Pages and Education Manager at Young Offenders Institute. This mentor has a Certificate in Education and a National Professional Qualification for Headship.

“I got the job I want in China by the end of this scheme”

Huijian was able achieve all of her objectives including improving her professional skills, such as designing a lesson, classroom management and was able to observe a lesson given by her mentor.

Huijian shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

The knowledge and experience I gained from the scheme was helpful in my job application. I got the job I want in China by the end of this scheme.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

More confidence and understanding the commitment of being a teacher.

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

The scheme will be a great help to your career if you are willing to take advice and use them.

Penelope, Language and Translation

Education Teaching and Research, Modern Languages, , , ,

Penelope, a French and German student, was interested in a career in teaching in a variety of locations such as Germany, France or the UK. Penelope applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn about other career paths related to her degree, such as Translation, and post graduate study. Through the scheme, Penelope was matched with a Translator focusing on French and Italian texts being translated to English. He has a BA Hons in French with Subsidiary Italian, Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a Diploma in Translation.

“I feel I know a lot more about the sector”

Penelope achieved many objectives including widened her professional network, increasing her knowledge of job hunting resources in the sector, and increasing her knowledge of effective interview techniques.

Penelope shared her experience:

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I really learnt a lot more about the sector and possible entry paths. I am now considering several different options and feel I know a lot more about the sector.

Megan, Education

Education Teaching and Research,

Megan, Geography student, was interested in a career in Environmental Education after carrying out work experience with the Essex Widelife Trust. Through the Career Mentor Scheme she was matched with the Managing Director of Exeter Outdoors Ltd. He has a wide variety qualifications such as a PGCE, Adventure Activity and Outdoor Education and Safeguarding. This mentor’s previous employment includes Team Leader and Co-ordinator for NEET courses at Exeter College and Outdoor Education Teacher and Behaviour Centre Manager at St James School.

“Great insight into the sector and an understanding of what more I need to do in order to enter it”

Megan achieved all of her objectives including increased knowledge of job hunting resources in this sector, gaining and understanding of what she needed to do next to enter the sector and received work experience.

Megan’s highlights of the scheme were being able to meet with her mentor and shadow him at work. She shared some insights of her experience:

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Networking with the employees at Exeter Outdoors
  • On my shadow day speaking to parents of children and seeing the benefits for the children of attending Forest school.
  • Great insight into the sector and an understanding of what more I need to do in order to enter it

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

That university is a great time to test the waters of potential career paths and see what’s a good fit and the career mentor scheme offers an opportunity to do just that.

Katherine, Education, Training and Research

Education Teaching and Research, Geography, , ,

Katherine, a Geography student, applied to the scheme to gain an understanding of what she needed to achieve in the Education sector and improve employability. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Katherine was matched with a Geography Teacher and Head of Department at Rookwood School. This mentor is also a Chartered Geographer, a fellow of the Royal Geography Society and qualified in PGCE Secondary Geography. Her main responsibilities include organising and implementing field trips, teaching key stage 3 and 4, and looking after her tutor group.

“Insight into job prospects that you wouldn’t consider.”

Katherine achieved all of her objectives including increased awareness of other job prospects after university, evaluating the benefits of travelling after graduation and received academic support.

Katherine discussed her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

It was really useful to see what other graduates had done in the years after university

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found help on my CV the most useful aspect.

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

It is a great opportunity to gain an insight into job prospects that you wouldn’t consider.

Asri, Education, Training and Research

Education Teaching and Research, , ,

Asri, a M.Ed TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learning more about teaching and training strategies, experiences and methods. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Asri was matched with a self-employed Education Consultant and Freelance Musician. His previous job roles include National Coordinator of Applied Learning and Vocational Education Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, Head of Applied Learning Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and Teacher Trainer for the Open University.

“I can share my dreams as well as learning from my mentor.”

Asri achieved all of her objectives including learning from the mentor’s experience about the field interest in, received work experience and job shadowing thereby increasing her knowledge of sector entry requirements.

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I could network in Exeter related to my job field. I had contact with teachers and some schools as well.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I got an idea of how the job that I want is implemented in UK, and I can share my dreams as well as learning from my mentor.

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

Students have to really sure that they have enough time to manage their mentoring program with their assignments, so that the program will work well.

Asri intends to stay in contact with her mentor beyond the scheme and would recommend the scheme to a friend.

Emily, Education, Training and Research

Education Teaching and Research, History, , , ,

Emily, a History and German student, was interested in studying for a PGCE and working in the teaching profession. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Emily was matched with the Headteacher of Ratcliffe College, an independent school, with previous employment including Senior Deputy Head of Kingswood School and Assistant Director of Reading Blue Coat School. This mentor is also studying for his Phd at Sheffield, alongside achieving a variety of qualifications prior.

“This is an excellent scheme to participate with as it gives you impartial support and understanding”

Emily achieved all of her objectives including increased knowledge of finding internships and work experience in this sector, increased knowledge of good/bad aspects of the profession and increased knowledge of effective application forms in the education sector.

Emily shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Getting an insight into the positives of teaching and the mood of the profession in light of government involvement has been an interesting and informative experience. Just being able to speak to a teacher who had been in teaching at all levels was very rewarding and a highlight of the scheme for me.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found insight into entering the profession and possibly looking at moving towards education policy useful.

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

If you’re looking for an insight into a profession you are interested in but uncertain about, this is an excellent scheme to participate with as it gives you impartial support and understanding. I found it to be a valuable experience but I would recommend further participants to engage themselves better than I did.