Category Archives: Business and Management

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.

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.

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.

Charlotte, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, Business and Management

Charlotte, Management with Marketing student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to expand her knowledge of different industries and learn more about building confidence in networking. Through the scheme, Charlotte was matched with a Management with History and Industrial Experience graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Senior Manager at Barclaycard with years of experience with the organisations and within the banking industry.

Charlotte tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Charlotte achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector
  • Improved personal development skills
  • Widened my contacts and networking opportunities

Charlotte also gained advice for her fourth year of studies and graduate job applications.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

CV check, shared with me his old CVs & personal development plans, mock telephone interview with one of my mentor’s colleagues.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

CV advice, talked through the whole application process and this gave insightful information which I did not know, mock telephone interview with really detailed feedback.

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

I would fully recommend applying for the scheme. You can shape the relationship with your mentor so there is such a wide range of things to get out of the scheme.

Jessica, Management and Consultancy

Business and Management, Management and Consultancy

Jessica, Business and Management student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn more about starting her own business and gain advice from an experienced professional. Through the scheme, Jessica was paired with the Founder of International Dance Supplies Ltd, specialising in Entrepreneurship. This mentor has been running her own businesses for over 30 years and has experience across the business departments.

“My mentor provided an inspiring life story, and I hope to follow in her entrepreneurial footsteps”

Jessica achieved all of her objectives achieved including gaining an understanding of how a mail order/online business operates in all of its many areas, increased knowledge of sector entry requirements and increased knowledge of the good and bad aspects of the profession.

Jessica told us more about her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Visiting my mentor at work for two days and spending time with her talking her talking about the growth of her business, as well as mine.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into life as a successful entrepreneur.

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

It’s a unique opportunity to connect with a successful mentor who is more than willing to help you achieve your own goals.

Lauren, Retail

Business and Management, Retail

Lauren, Business Management student, was interested in the fashion and retail industry and so applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain contacts and learn more about the industry. Through the scheme, Lauren was matched with a Multichannel Director at The White Company. The mentor’s main responsibilities involve driving sales across online and contact centre channels, providing business insight and developing customer proposition.

“The mentor scheme was an invaluable experience”

Lauren achieved all of her objectives including a formal visit to the Exeter store, shopped at the London store as a mystery shopper to gain a better understanding of the company and visited the head office in London.

Lauren shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Meeting with the Exeter store manager to ask questions about the running of the store, how the layout is chosen, find out more about customer journeys etc. I was then offered a part-time job at the Exeter store without an interview or CV check based on my mentors recommendation.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found getting Insight into my chosen sector the most useful. I got a lot out of meeting my mentor over dinner, this gave us an opportunity to get to know one another and lay out what our expectations where of the scheme and of each other. I know work part-time at The White Company Exeter store and am hoping to get a placement at head office in London for placement year.

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

The mentor scheme was an invaluable experience; it opens up new opportunities you may have otherwise missed and it gives you access to the knowledge and experience of a senior member in your chosen profession.

Oliver, Management and Consultancy

Business and Management, economics, Management and Consultancy, , , , , ,

Oliver, Business Economics student, was in the process of applying to graduate roles in trading but was unsure about exploring other areas such as Private Equity aswell. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Oliver was matched with a Economics and Political Development alumnus who is now a Consultant for Chestnut Advisory Group in the USA. His previous experience includes roles at Knight Capital, UBS London and New York and Citibank London and New York.

“His advice was useful and no doubt helped me get the job .”

Oliver achieved all of his objectives including securing a exciting graduate job while also improving his personal development skills and increasing his knowledge of effective interview techniques in the finance and consultancy sector.

Oliver provided some insight in his experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

He went to the same school as me (as well as Exeter) so we had a lot to relate too.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

He gave broad recommendations and had knowledge outside the area of expertise which proved really helpful.

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

Give it a go, gaining a perspective on your career from someone with years of industry knowledge is invaluable. I ended up getting a job in something unrelated to my mentor’s career but his advice was still useful and no doubt helped me get the job (at Amazon).

Charles, Management and Consultancy

Business and Management, Management and Consultancy, ,

Charles, a MSc International Management student, was interested in a career in management and strategy consulting and applied to the scheme to improve his networking skills, receive help with applications and learn about the importance of innovation and creativity in this sector. Through the scheme, Charles was matched with an Exeter alumnus who is now a Managing Consultant for IBM, focusing on Delivery Project Management. He has also worked for IntelliQ Ltf and DERA/QinetiQ.

“My mentor spent lots of time helping me to prepare the assessment centre”

Charles achieved many objectives including gaining a deeper understanding about the importance of client’s satisfaction, improved his own personal development skills and increased his knowledge of sector entry requirements.

Charles shared his experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

My mentor spent lots of time helping me to prepare the assessment centre. I got 80% for M&S’s graduate scheme’s assessment mentor. I also passed Deloitte’s AC, and am preparing the 2nd interview.

Gracie, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training

Business and Management, economics, Human Resources Recruitment and Training, , , , ,

Gracie, a Business Economics student, was interested in a variety of careers in the commercial sector and wanted to use the Career Mentor Scheme to help make a decision about her future career choice. Through the scheme, Gracie was matched with a HR Consultant for Aible with qualifications including BA Geography, MSc Human Resource Management and a Certificate in Business Strategy. Her role includes providing outsourced HR support to businesses.

“Do not be afraid to ask them anything.”

Gracie achieved all of her objectives including receiving academic help, received help to improve her CV and widening her professional network within the sector.

Gracie shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Speaking to a professional in an industry I am interested in, understanding what my mentor perceives to be the good and bad aspects of their job. Also hearing about how they came into the position they are currently in, and realising their career path did not progress perfectly.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Extremely helpful in the application and interview stages for my industrial placement.

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

Make the most of the opportunity and do not be afraid to ask them anything.

Alexander, Insurance, Pensions and Actuarial

Business and Management, economics, Insurance Pensions and Actuarial, ,

Alexander, a Business Economics student, became interested in the Insurance industry after completing work experience with a reputable insurance firm in London. He applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to help confirm whether this was the career path he definitely wanted to take and to gain an understanding of what would be required of him as a graduate. Through the scheme, Alexander was paired with a Consultant for MW Enterprises. This mentor’s previous job roles include four Managing Directors positions at Integro, Towergate Specialist Risks, TL Risk Solutions and Towry Law after beginning his career as a Graduate Management Trainee at Royal & Sun Alliance.

“If you know you want to go into a similar industry as your mentor then 100% go for it.”

Alexander achieved all of his objectives including help to secure a graduate job, improved personal development skills and increased knowledge of effective interview technique in this sector.

Alexander shared some of his experiences;

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Skyping and building a relationship with my mentor. We really get along.

What did you find most useful form the mentoring experience?

The information that only a current industry expert could provide, gave me invaluable insight into the industry which was crucial at interviews.

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

If you know you want to go into a similar industry as your mentor then 100% go for it.