Category Archives: Purchasing and Procurement

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.

Emma, Purchasing and Procurement

Geography, Purchasing and Procurement, , ,

Emma participated in the Career Mentor Scheme during her second year. Interested in purchasing and procurement, Emma was matched with a procurement officer for Cornwall Council. This mentor, an alumnus of the University of Exeter, is interested in sustainability, environmental management and climate change. At the council, his main responsibilities were developing and delivering the Council’s Responsible Procurement Programme which governed how the council considered agendas such as environmental sustainability, safeguarding and equality and diversity in their purchasing. At the time, he was also working on the procurement of Children’s Social Care Services and had launched the Cornwall Supplier Development Programme.

Both Emma and her mentor felt that their main objectives had been achieved through the scheme. Emma felt her confidence in applying for graduate jobs had grown, she had successfully developed professional contacts and gained an insight into the field. This mentor felt that he had given back to the university through the scheme and was pleased to have facilitated her work experience at TFL.

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Emma shared some insights into the ways in which the scheme was beneficial to her:

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I enjoyed being able to visit my mentor at his place of work as I was able to get a feel of his working environment and meet colleagues in relevant sectors to discuss potential career opportunities.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Through my mentor I have acquired two weeks work experience at Transport for London (TFL) in June and so hope that this will be one of the most useful outcomes of my mentoring experience. Also the recommendation to go to IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) networking events has been another useful outcome of this mentoring experience.

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

The career mentor scheme provides a unique and invaluable opportunity to engage with a professional within a sector of the job market which interests you. It is a way of gaining an ‘inside account’ of what skills you will need, what employers look for in applicants and also the upsides and downsides of working in such a sector. Not only this but there is the chance that your mentor may be able to provide you with some form of work experience, something which is greatly valued in the current job market. I would therefore strongly recommend taking this opportunity.

 

Sarah, Purchasing and Procurement

Business and Management, Purchasing and Procurement, , , ,

During her second year Sarah, doing Business and Management, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme. She was matched with mentor a Commodity Buyer at Ford Motor Company.

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Through the scheme Sarah increased her confidence and obtained job hunting resources.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor provided me with a breakdown of his daily role.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Expert insight into the sector I was interested in – I am in fact now continuing into a similar sector for my placement year in Procurement!

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

It is especially useful to get a real insight into the sector; more of an understanding of the daily aspects and undertakings the role the mentor has in his/her workplace. Very key when considering an area that there is not much information on online.

James, Purchasing and Procurement

Geography, Purchasing and Procurement,

Between May of his penultimate and October of his final year James was mentored by Procurement Officer at Cornwall Council. This mentor has a variety of experiences in the Purchasing and Procurement sector. He has previously worked as a Project Manager at Heart of Borneo Project and as a Project Officer at the Cornwall Development Company.

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Here is what James shared with us about the benefits of the scheme to his career development.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

  • Getting to understand first hand the work undertaken by my mentor and seeing how he dealt with certain problems.
  • A good understanding of what the next stage is after University.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Having someone to guide me through the graduate scheme application stage.

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

Definitely do it as having someone to push you will mean you make quicker progress when looking for a job.

His mentor said:

“It’s been great to work with a mentee who is a little less confident, to try and grow his confidence.”