Category Archives: Mining Environment and Natural Resources

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.

Yu Chuan, Mining, Environment and Natural Resources

Energy Engineering, Mining Environment and Natural Resources

Yu Chuan, Renewable Energy student, was interested in entering the Energy sector and so applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain a better understanding and receive advice. Through the scheme, Yu Chuan was matched with the Managing Director at Pure Energy Professionals Ltd. This mentor has previously served as a director, officer and advisor in a global renewable energy organisation and has experience in assisting start-up companies in the industry.

“Getting involved in real world business preparation work”

Yu Chuan achieved all of his objectives including increasing my knowledge in how the Renewable Energy business sector works, particularly, an increase in knowledge on the wind energy industry.

Yu Chuan told us more about his experience of the scheme:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

  • Getting involved in real world business preparation work
  • Site visits to wind projects
  • Getting to know more professionals in the Renewable Energy industry

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Insight into my chosen profession and work experience.
  • Great advice and interaction with my mentor.

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

Make sure you appreciate your career mentor for their time and effort, be it being proactive and attentive when you’re communicating with them or getting prepared before you meet them. This shows a lot of how much you want to get out from this mentor-ship.

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!

Huw, Mining, Environment and Natural Resources

Geology, Mining and Mineral Engineering, Mining Environment and Natural Resources, ,

Huw, a Mining Geology Postgraduate student, wanted to learn more about networking, professional development, the recruitment process and corporate workings after previous work experience placements he had completed. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Huw was matched with the Chief Financial Officer for IGas Energy Plc. This mentor’s role includes responsibility for the finance function, investor relations, IT and corporate development.

“There is always a plethora of things you can learn from someone who has been working their whole life”

Huw achieved all of his objectives including learning how to network, improving knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector and increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector.

Here is what Huw said about the scheme:

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

Even if you’ve been in the industry before, already have a good CV, or know a lot about interviews and application systems, there is always a plethora of things you can learn from someone who has been working their whole life.

Considering the importance of developing your professional network, whether it’s to find an internship, secure your first job, or even something 10 or so years along your career, any addition is potentially of great benefit and therefore an opportunity well-worth taking advantage of.

Hugh, Mining, Environment and Natural Resources

Geology, Mining and Mineral Engineering, Mining Environment and Natural Resources, ,

Hugh, a Mining Geology Postgraduate student, wanted to create professional links with the Mining and Energy industry, improve knowledge and employability in the sector, and learn about the human resource and finance department within the industry. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Hugh was matched with a Senior HR Manager for De Beers. This mentor’s main responsibilities include leading the HR team in the downstream sector of the business to support three businesses in 14 countries.

“Offered an internship for the summer from mentor passing on my details”

Hugh achieved all of his objectives including establishing links in the mining industry and receiving assistance in networking, getting help with job applications and hints for job interviews and gaining insight into working abroad or jobs involving travel.

Hugh shared her mentoring experience;

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Offered an internship for the summer from mentor passing on my details to colleagues and organizing details

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Mentor provided a useful link to the industry and was always quick to get back to me in regard to questions and support over career applications/interviews.

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

Set out plans early and be active in contacting mentor. Make good impression early and be keen to talk and don’t shy away from contact. The mentor is there to help and has applied to the scheme to do just that.

Andrew, Mining, Environment and Natural Resources

Geology, Mining Environment and Natural Resources

Postgraduate student Andrew, doing Mining Geology was mentored by Head of Geology UK/Europe at Aggregate Industries Ltd.

Thus mentor graduated from Exeter with a Geology degree. He has a variety of experiences in the industry, having previously worked as an Assistant Geologist at English China Clays Quarries, as Company Geologist at Tarmac and then as a Head of Geology UK and International at Tarmac Group.

grand-canyon-4-1382741

Andrew had an outstanding experience being mentored. He achieved all of the objectives, which they set up at the beginning of their partnership, including gaining work experience, developing interview techniques, and gathering information about the sector’s entry requirements.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor was a fantastic mentor, I feel we built a strong relationship and plan to meet in the future. He became more of a friend than anything else!

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Self-reflection and defining the good and bad things about my personality.

 

Alicia, Mining, Environment and Natural Resources

Energy Engineering, Mining and Mineral Engineering, Mining Environment and Natural Resources,

Sustainable Development masters student Alicia was matched with an Environment and Sustainability Advisor at the University of Exeter.

This mentor’s main responsibility is improving the University’s environmental performance through the development and delivery of sustainability strategies and change management with specific responsibilities for environmental compliance, pollution prevention and ISO14001.

At the end of the partnership, Alicia gave us an insight of what she had achieved through the Career Mentor Scheme. Apart from significantly improving her job hunting skills and developing personal skills and abilities, she also achieved career objectives, such as finding our more about the good and bad aspect of a career in Sustainability and learning about the entry requirements. Alicia also got hints and tips about the Green Consultants Programme and possible project options.

DCF 1.0

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

The most important knowledge I gained from my mentor was the opportunity to practice mock interviews and build my confidence skills. She also talked about her experience as a consultant within the energy sector and clarified many doubts about working within that field and what to expect from consultancy.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The insight of my chosen profession, CV Review, and interview tips [provided].

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

It is very useful to clarify doubts about your career path and to get reassurance that you are going in the right way. It is also very useful to gain confidence in yourself when it comes to interviews and preparation for graduate jobs.

Her mentor said:

  “[It was] rewarding to see Alicia reflect on discussions [we have had] and apply those reflections!”