Category Archives: Career Sector

Laura, Human Resources

English, Human Resources Recruitment and Training, ,

During her final year Laura applied to be mentored by Head of Human Resources at Canaccord Genuity Hawkpoint, a corporate finance advisory firm.

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Laura gave us an insight into her experience of the Career Mentor Scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

The highlight of the scheme for me was being able to meet my mentor in person. Being able to see the London investment banking environment was incredibly helpful in enabling me to recognise early on in the year that I wasn’t personally suited to work in this particular location.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

When faced with the difficult decision of choosing between a variety of graduate scheme offers, my mentor provided me with invaluable insight and advice about the advantages and disadvantages of each company and the reward package that they offered. This enabled me to make a well informed decision about my future career, something that would not have been possible without the brilliant support from my mentor.

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

It’s incredibly helpful if you want to find out information about a specific industry or sector.

Isobel, Politics and Government

Politics and Government, Politics and International Relations,

History and International Relations student Isobel was matched with an Administrator of Région Haute-normandie, France.

This mentor is an Exeter alumnus, who has worked at various organisations and positions in his career. Between 1997 and 1999 he was an Administrator at the European Parliament. He then moved on to be an Economist at the Office for National Statistics before starting at his position as an Administrator of  Région Haute-normandie.

Isobel achieved all objectives she had set at the beginning of the scheme. She received help with cover letters and application forms, improved her confidence to seek graduate jobs and developed her professional contacts.

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Were there any other objectives you achieved?

To gain work experience and a greater insight into this field of work.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Having a professional opinion for some of the choices I am having to make- Masters Programmes etc.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Having a contact with professional and well regarded CVs to reference and get to know.

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

It is a great opportunity to have an in-depth insight into the professional line of work.

Toby, Management and Consultancy

Classics and Ancient History, Management and Consultancy, , ,

Ancient History student Toby applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to be matched with a Director at Inspired Exchange. This mentor has been in the Management and Consultancy sector for a long time. Previous positions he has held include Assistant Director of Leisure at Hackney Borough Council,  Independent Leisure Consultant and Projects Director at  London Events Agency.

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Toby had a lot of positive feedback to share with us regarding how the scheme helped his career development.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor was incredibly friendly yet always professional. He set the precedent and he seemed to respect and enjoy the enthusiasm and engagement that I came with. On leaving my first meeting I felt like I could have walked into any interview and got the job. My mentor installed confidence in my through an understanding of the process and the requirements of employers and belief in my abilities and suitability. He is an excellent mentor to have and I am incredibly thankful to him for his time, energy and continuing support.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

My mentor was very direct, when working through my CV, career path or any interview questions, he would always answer in an incredibly transparent fashion. He verbally ranked my experiences/attributes on my first CV and helped explain how ‘facts and stories’ make the most convincing reading. I know have full confidence in my CV and am excited for the next stage.

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

My mentor helped me get from a shaky CV and a rough idea of jobs after university to a solid CV I have full confidence in and a job offer when I graduate. What have you got to lose?

 

Harry, Education, Teaching and Research

Education Teaching and Research, English, ,

Harry, English student was matched with Head of Classics at Exeter College through the Career Mentor Scheme. This mentor teaches Classical Civilisation and Ancient History at AS and A2 level. He has previously also worked at the Open University and the University of Exeter, where he taught Ancient Greek.

Harry had a superb experience being mentored. The scheme helped him gather information about the entry requirements and the good and bad aspects of being a teacher. At the end of the partnership Harry also felt  better prepared to seek graduate level employment and he had developed professional contacts in the sector.

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What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Going to Exeter College to see my mentor teach and also being able to chat to some of the staff there was definitely a personal highlight.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into teaching as a career.

“The ability to be of real practical use to my mentee was the highlight for me.” – Harry’s mentor

Maximilian, Management and Consultancy

Business and Management, law, Management and Consultancy,

Maximilian is a Management and Law student who was mentored by a Senior Consultant at Altus Ltd, as part of the Career Mentor Scheme. This mentor has a lot of experience of working in this sector. Between 2003 and 2008 he worked at AON Hewitt as a Business Systems Analyst. He then moved on to IMS Health Ltd at the same position. In 2009 he became a Director and Co-founder of What’s My Pension Ltd before joining Altus Ltd.

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The scheme helped Maximilian in various ways. He received help improving his CV and learned more about the good and bad aspects of the profession. He also developed his networking opportunities.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

One of the highlights for me was being able to present a 20 minute Skype presentation to my mentor. I was lucky to find out that his CEO was also attending so I received some really valuable feedback from both of them. I was able to raise some questions regarding their opinion about the developments of financial services which might in fact really influence my career decision.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I think having a relevant professional contact is very useful/will be even more useful when it comes to researching graduate opportunities.

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

I would advise them to make the most of their time with the mentor, definitely meet in person and try to tackle as many issues as possible.

Angel, Management and Consultancy

Accounting and Finance, Management and Consultancy, , ,

Angel applied to the Career Mentor Scheme in order get advice and guidance into Management and Consultancy. Her mentor was the Director of Investment at Dusit International. As such his main responsibilities include studying the investment market for hotels & real estate, raising financing, developing financing structures and negotiating deals.

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Angel talked to us about the benefits of the scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor has a similar academic background as me, so I found  connection and comfort when talking to him (as we were both oversea students). Knowing what he went through in his career path gave me insights of how I should plan my short term and long term goals in order to stay away from working overtime without this having a purpose.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I did not know enough about the industry as real world experience is always different from myths. He gave me insights into the industry and his comments on my prospective path were really useful.

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

This scheme is definitely a really good platform for students who are graduating soon and are not sure what to do. The mentor will guide you, inspire you, help you, just like a good academic tutor would but the mentor does so in your career path.

Chang, Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations

Accounting and Auditing, Accounting and Finance, Logistics Supply Chain and Operations, ,

Through the Career Mentor Scheme Chang, studying Accounting and Finance was matched with a Network Development & Implementation Programme Manager at Fonterra. This mentor has experience in Operations, Consultancy and Purchasing and Procurement. His previous employment includes moving up from Analyst to Consultant, Senior Consultant and finally Manager at Deloitte.

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The Career Mentor Scheme brought many advantages to Chang.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Getting to know my mentor not only as a professional, but also an ordinary person. It was great to learn how a professional can achieve work/life balance and to find out more about my mentor’s view towards careers and various life experiences.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen sector & Guidance/advice on career options.

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

The Career Mentor Scheme is a great way to boost your confidence and communication skill, and it also provides this invaluable opportunity to gain insights into your chosen sector/industry.

“Chang was great, lovely to reconnect with the University and what is happening, plus provide support and guidance to someone at the start of their career” – Chang’s Mentor

 

Rebecca, Education, Teaching and Research

Education Teaching and Research, Geography,

Rebecca applied to the Career Mentor Scheme in order to get guidance and advice about getting into Education, Teaching and Research. Her mentor was a Geography Teacher at Rookwood School. This mentor is an Exeter alumnus who has had a wide variety of experiences in the industry. Prior to joining Rookwood School she was a Geography Teacher at George Stephenson High School Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Apart from achieving all objectives Rebecca had set, such as developing professional contacts and preparing for the next steps after graduation, she also managed to see what teaching on a daily basis is like by visiting her mentor at her school and learning more about the profession from Hannah.

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What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I really enjoyed visiting the school, I sat in in some lessons and was really able to understand what it is like to teach a lesson, and everything else that goes with it. Visiting a school other than the one I went to also helped me to see how different schools operate, and overall I really enjoyed the experience.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I wanted to gain insight into teaching, and I definitely achieved that. My mentor was able to show me all of the work she does on a daily basis, from planning a lesson through to teaching it. This was incredibly useful as I was able to learn what it really takes to be teacher, which has helped to guide my work experience and internship choices to see if I am suited to the job.

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

Taking part in the career mentor scheme is such a valuable experience; not only did it give me a brilliant networking opportunity, but it also allowed me an insight into my chosen profession that is so difficult to find elsewhere.

“Really good to keep in touch via email – asking and answering emails -felt that I got to know Becky.  It was also great that she got to come to my school and meet with me in the work environment.” – Rebecca’s Mentor

Megan, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, economics, ,

Megan, Economics student, was really interested in going into the Banking and Financial Services sector and she was looking for guidance into the industry. Through the Career Mentor Scheme she was matched with a Director at Lloyds Bank. He was responsible for US Private Placements.

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Megan found the Career Mentor Scheme very helpful and enjoyed her partnership with her mentor.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

A highlight for me was the initial Meet Your Mentor event, where I was able to ask my first questions and make a plan for the scheme, which was stuck with and achieved.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The most useful thing about my mentoring experience was the professional help and opinion I was given on my CV, which has further allowed me to apply for placement level jobs.

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

Definitely apply for the Career Mentor Scheme. It will not only let you see the industry you may want to go into, but also provide a guide with your own professional development.

Katherine, Theatre and Performing Arts

Drama, English, Theatre and Performing Arts, , , ,

English and Drama student Katherine was mentored by a freelance actor through the Career Mentor Scheme. This mentor trained at Drama Studio London and the Actors Temple. His theatre credits include Templeton in Charlotte’s Web, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antonio in Twelfth Night for the Cambridge Shakespeare Company, and Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet at the Tower of London.

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Katherine benefited massively from the mentoring partnership. Here is what she shared with us:

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

As well as learning about industry from someone who has actually experienced it, this scheme gave me an opportunity to voice my concerns for employment with someone who was able to provide inspirational advice. The scheme was incredibly valuable in helping me to gain the courage to follow what I want to do, despite the challenges I will face.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

My mentor gave me comprehensive advice on the benefits of a post-graduate degree at a drama school, and also provided me with a reputable list of drama schools as a benchmark to begin my research. When enquired, he gave me tips on how to fund a postgraduate degree, calming my fears of everlasting debt and just generally making me feel better about the whole prospect!

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

If you’re feeling stuck regarding your career, or you just need a bit of a push to encourage you into doing something you really want to do, I’d really advise this scheme. My mentor was helpful, open and friendly, and really put my mind at ease regarding something that can often feel isolating and stressful.