Category Archives: Degree Subject

Molly, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training

Business and Management, Human Resources Recruitment and Training, Psychology

Molly, MSc Human Resource Management student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain knowledge about the field of Human Resources and becoming more confident in professional situations. Through the scheme, Molly was matched with a Politics Graduate from the University of Exeter, is a Human Resources Consultant at West Sussex County Council.

Molly tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

From talking to my career mentor I have a better understanding of HR in different sectors and types of organisation. I also have a better understanding of more general HR roles as well as more specialised ones. This knowledge will really help me with deciding what kind of HR role would suit me best.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

I really enjoyed getting to know my career mentor a bit better, and hearing how she got into HR in the first place. It was great that I was able to meet her and she was very supportive of me and what I was doing.

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

I would definitely recommend applying for the Career Mentor Scheme as it is an excellent opportunity for you to be able to talk to a professional in the field for a long period of time. This was immensely helpful for me and built my confidence about applying for jobs. My career mentor also helped me with my CV and answered all of the many questions I had about that profession. We have stayed in touch and they have kindly offered to provide further help or guidance if I need it which is amazing.

Nicholas, Financial Markets and the City

economics, Financial Markets and the City

Nicholas, Economics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn from an industry expert and gain insight into what firms are looking for in applicants. Through the scheme, Nicholas was matched with a Financial Economics graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Senior Client Portfolio Manager at Standard Life Wealth. He manages global equity portfolios for high net worth individuals.

Nicholas tells us more about his experience below:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

It was good to meet my career mentor in a casual setting, where not being overly formal and corporate made the experience more relaxed and enjoyable. We were able to talk through all of his experiences of the job and some of the more technical aspects of the work.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Learning some of the technical aspects of the work and understanding what the profession is really like from an inside perspective.

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

Apply and make sure you develop a good relationship with your career mentor, and meet them as much as possible.

He also gained a good understanding of the industry and the job and how to make use of LinkedIn.

Kate, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training

Human Resources Recruitment and Training, Modern Languages

Kate, French and German Modern Languages student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain advice on choosing a career path after gaining much varied work experience. Through the scheme, Kate was matched with a Politics graduate at the University of Exeter who is now Head of Group Employee Relations at Lloyds Banking Group with vast experience in HR.

Kate tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Kate achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of job hunting resources in this sector
  • Improved personal development skills
  • Widened contacts and networking opportunities

What were your highlights of the scheme?

My highlight was visiting my career mentor at his offices, as I really got a feel for what his working day was like and also how the working environment was.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

We did a practice interview towards the end of our mentoring experience. This was invaluable as my mentor gave me so many helpful tips, as he has been an interviewer for the roles I am looking at.

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

Do it! It is a truly enriching experience, your confidence will be boosted immensely, and you might even end up deciding you want a career in the area your mentor works in, just as I did.

Nivya, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, Business and Management

Nivya, Business Administration student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn about potential business opportunities, gain exposure to employment openings and enhance her current skillset. Through the scheme, Nivya was matched with an Accounting graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Director at Starfield Management Ltd with responsibilities such as Chief Restructuring Officer.

Nivya tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Nivya achieved many objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector
  • Improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector
  • Increased knowledge sector entry requirements

Nivya also wanted advice in prioritising and researching the three career options that she was considering. Her mentor helped her do this.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

My mentor was very supportive and helped me regain my confidence in being able to prepare and face interviews.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the profession and its pros and cons in the United Kingdom.

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

The Career Mentor Scheme is very helpful. But, it depends on your own initiative in getting the most of it. I received insight about being able to choose the right career path by weighing the pros and cons of the options available. I could get rid of doubts that I had of my career options. My Mentor was very supportive and flexible with regards to time and dates as well.

Matthew, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, economics

Matthew, Economics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain a better understanding of the financial sector in order to learn about the specific professions that he may wish to pursue. Through the scheme, Matthew was matched with an Economics graduate from the University of Exeter who is now the Assistant Vice President at Barclays Wealth, having been with the firm for 10 years.

“Extremely valuable in helping you achieve your goals”

Matthew tells us more about his experience below:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Learning about my mentor’s business and past career, and different models for approaching Insight into the financial world. I was able to gain a greater understanding of the system and how I can utilise my skills to find the job right for me.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Networking opportunities and personal development.

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

This is such a useful way to get an insight into your desired career. Your mentor’s knowledge will be extremely valuable in helping you achieve your goals and ultimately they were in the same shoes as you at some stage. They can draw on these experiences to give you the best opportunity to kick start your career!

Maya, Management and Consultancy

Business and Management, Management and Consultancy

 Maya, Business and Management student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain a better understanding of the consulting and management sector and the job opportunities available. Through the scheme, Maya was matched with a mentor with a PhD in Agriculture, BSc in Horticulture and Diploma in Management and Leadership, who is now a Management and Leadership Consultant at S Barrett Consulting.

Maya tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Maya achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of finding internships and work experience in this sector
  • Received help to improve CV
  • Increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession

Maya also had a personal objective of networking with a professional in the sector she is interested in and gain insight to her mentor’s career.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Meeting with an established professional was invaluable to learn directly first-hand about their job, including from an employer and employee as my mentor is now self-employed. The insight into my chosen sector was the most useful part of my mentoring experience.

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

It’s such a good opportunity that professionals are volunteering their time to help you. I’ve found it so useful to be able to talk to a professional in a more informal/casual setting, and I’m so grateful for the guidance I’ve received.

Beatrice, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services

Beatrice, Law student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her understanding of the legal sector and the different specialism within it. Through the scheme Beatrice was matched with an English graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Solicitor at Lexis Nexis, specialising in private clients.

“Incredible for people who wish to learn more about a prospective career path”

Beatrice tells us more about her experience below:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

A particular highlight of mine was when I was talking to my mentor about the joys of the LPC and how best to deal with the pressure and workload – we were definitely able to empathise with each other’s experiences!

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found my mentors advice on my training contract applications incredibly helpful. They were able to offer a completely objective viewpoint and help guide me through a very daunting process.

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

I’d say don’t let your doubts about time commitments or whether or not you will have anything meaningful to say get the better of you, simply go for it. The mentor scheme is so flexible and incredible for people who wish to learn more about a prospective career path, or indeed find out about alternative employment options.

The mentor scheme has certainly helped build my confidence, help me understand more about the legal profession and the types of work to expect, and to realise that I am capable of much more than I ever thought possible. If I were given the chance to do it all over again I absolutely would!

Daniel, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services

Daniel, Law student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain practical insight into the industry and maintain motivation in attaining a training contract. Through the scheme, Daniel was matched with an LLB graduate from the University of Exeter who is now an Associate at Norton Rose Fulbright with experience at a variety of firms.

Daniel tells us more about his experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Daniel achieved all of his objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector
  • Improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector
  • Increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession

What were your highlights of the scheme?

I got to visit my mentor’s office. Our first meeting was very frank and motivated me hugely to pursue commercial work experience over the summer in preparation for next year training contract. I found the motivation from my mentor the most useful part of my experience.

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

The mentor scheme really helped build my confidence. I was very open with my mentor that I did not have any confidence in getting a training contract. I was focused on whether it was possible or not but he was focused on when it will happen.

My mentor strongly advised me to apply for some commercial work experience opportunities. I was already demotivated since I had spent my second year chasing vacation schemes but I took on his advice and decided I was going to broaden my scope. I applied to local law firms, etc. During my research, I came across from legal work experience in FT. They only take on two students per year. I applied and I got the post. Until I spoke to my mentor I had really believed that there was no need to seek summer experiences by June.

It is hard to believe but I was certain I was not going to get a training contract in my second year. But, thanks to my mentors motivation I ended up with two training contract offers with two City firms. In short, I came in downcast, left feeling like I was in wonderland.

Lakshmipriya, Science

Agriculture Farming and Animal Care, Biosciences, Science

Lakshmipriya, Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn about the opportunities for postgraduate students in the industry, but also find uot about daily working life. Through the scheme, Lakshmipriya was matched with a mentor who holds a BSc, ARCS, PhD and DIC, and was a Group Leader at Syngenta with extensive experience within his field of science.

Lakshmipriya tells us more about the experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Lakshmipriya achieved many objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector
  • Received help to improve CV
  • Widened contacts and networking opportunities

Lakshmipriya also found our more about using online platforms, such as LinkedIn, effectively.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Being able to talk to an experienced person about the workplace environment was really helpful. It also helped knowing what they thought about my experiences, skills and their advice on specific areas of personal development helped.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen sector as well as advice about achieving entry into that sector.

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

The beauty of the scheme is that the more you put in, the more you get out of it.

 

Ruby, Law and Legal Services

English, Law and Legal Services

Ruby, English with Proficiency in French student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain advice and guidance in the next steps of achieving her career goals. Through the scheme, Ruby was matched with a Law graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Partner at Fieldfisher LLP with over 15 years of experience in the industry.

Ruby tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Ruby achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of job hunting resources in this sector
  • Received help to improve CV
  • Increased knowledge of sector entry requirements

Ruby also achieved a personal objective of securing a legal training contract with a London based law firm.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

  • Hints and tips to improve my written applications
  • Visiting my mentor at his offices in London
  • Having constant support through the application process

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Help in determining my preferred area of law
  • Insight into the legal recruitment process
  • Gaining confidence in my interview technique and answers
  • Making a new connection in the legal sector

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

I would strongly recommend the Career Mentor Scheme to any student looking to get into law. The process of securing a job in the legal sector can often be challenging and intimidating, and there is a huge amount of competition for training contracts. My aspiration was to secure a training contract in London however, as an English student, I began the process with limited knowledge of law and the legal sector. I wanted to gain as much support and information as I could and the Career Mentor Scheme gave me this and more.

My mentor had significant experience of the recruitment process within his firm. He was able to give me useful hints and tips to improve my written applications, as well as an insight into what recruiters look for in a successful cover letter and CV. Although my meeting with him was informal, he asked me many similar questions to those I was subsequently asked in interviews which made these interviews less stressful and gave me confidence in my answers. Talking to him about my skills and career aspirations also helped me to narrow down on specifically where I saw myself within the legal sector, which I feel directly contributed to increased success with my applications and interviews.

My advice to any future mentee’s would be to make the most out of this opportunity by thinking about your objective before commencing the scheme, and keeping your mentor up to date with your progress throughout so they can give you appropriate advice and support.

I now feel that I have a valuable connection within the legal sector, and I know I can return to my mentor with any queries as I progress through my legal studies and training. I am very grateful for the time my mentor put into the scheme and the interest he showed in helping me build my knowledge and confidence. I believe his help was significant in helping me secure the training contract that I wanted.