Category Archives: Classics and Ancient History

Toby, 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.

Toby Gladwin

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?

 

Liberty, Law and Legal Services

During her second year Liberty wanted to get career advice and guidance in getting into the Law and Legal Services sector. Studying Ancient History Liberty applied for the scheme, looking to be matched with a mentor in her desired sector. She was matched with a barrister at Lamb Chambers in London.

An Exeter graduate, this mentor has previously worked at 11 Stoke Buildings and Tanfield Chambers. Since 2007 he has been in a position at the Lamb Chambers, where he is a professional in general civil litigation.

liberty

This is what Liberty shared with us at the end of the 6-month partnership:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Being able to go and visit my mentor and get a more in depth experience and knowledge about working as a barrister in London.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Having open access to an individual with all of the knowledge of everything law based that I didn’t understand and who was able to explain and simplify it to me.

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

Whether you are certain, or not, about what you want to do in the future, the Career Mentor Scheme gives you the freedom to explore your interests in a relaxed and environment, with one-to-one advice.

Alice, Education, Teaching and Research

Alice, a third year Classics student, was interested in going into the Education, Teaching and Research sector and applied for a mentor in this industry. She was matched with Head of Classics at Exeter College.

This mentor graduated with a Humanities degree in 2000 and then accomplished a MA and a PhD in Classics. Between 2007 and 2014 he was an Associate Lecturer in Classics at Exeter College to then became Head of Classics. Since 2008 he has also been a Teacher in Ancient Greek at the University. Furthermore, between 2010 and 2014 he was an associate lecturer in Classical Studies at the Open University.

alice

Alice gave us an insight of the benefits of the scheme to her career development.

Alice explained she found the work experience most useful. She pointed out that finding out about both the good and bad aspects of the profession was really beneficial as well. Apart from achieving all set objectives, such as widening her contacts, receiving work experience and improving her interview techniques, Alice also learned about training schemes (i.e. PGCE), how to apply to them and how to navigate the NQT year.

What was the highlight of the scheme for you?

Getting to observe my mentor in his workplace as this was valuable in helping me apply to teacher training courses.

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

The scheme gives an excellent insight into your chosen profession that you couldn’t get anywhere else. I gained lots of experience and information from the scheme that has been extremely important in applying and gaining a place on my chosen training course.