Category Archives: Computer Science

Louis, Engineering and Product Design

Louis, Computer Science student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn about the different roles within the industry and gain and understanding of the day-to-day activities. Through the scheme, Louis was matched with the Head of Product for Crowdcude Ltd.

“I am sure this will help me with future applications to internships and jobs.

Louis shared his experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

A highlight of the scheme for me was the interview practice my mentor gave me. It made me aware of many aspects recruiters might look for I would otherwise have not known about. It helped me to better understand which areas I will have to work on to improve and I am sure this will help me with future applications to internships and jobs.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found the insight my mentor could provide me into the role of a Product Manager particularly useful. I did not know that such a role exists and how relevant it is to many successful tech companies. Over the last couple of months I learned much more about this and found that it is an incredibly interesting career to pursue.

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

It is time well spent. You can learn a lot from someone who works in a job related to your own aspirations and this understanding will definitely help you to write better applications.

Preslav, Engineering and Product Design

Preslav, a Computer Science student, was interested in pursuing a career in the Information Technology sector and so wanted to build strong contact within the industry, learn more about different aspects of the sector and gain realistic insight. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, he was matched with the Head of Product for Crowdcude Ltd. This role involves leading the Product Management team and coordinating the design, development, and launch of products for users. This mentor also has worked as Product Manager for Google in both Sydney and California, and Sustaining Development Engineer for Sun Microsystems.

You can only benefit from this scheme.”

Preslav achieved all of his objectives including broadening his knowledge about what it is like to work in a big company, improved personal development skills and increased knowledge of sector entry requirements.

Preslav shared his experience with us:

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Learning more about the Mentor’s experience, talking about future technologies with him, getting a clear understanding of what interviewers expect from the candidates and how to stand out from the crowd.

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

You can only benefit from this scheme.

Eneida, Information Services

Eneida was interested in going into the Information Services sector. Through the Career Mentor Scheme she was matched with a Senior Bid Manager at Atos IT Services Limited. This mentor is an experienced professional in the sector and also has experience in Management and Consultancy, and HR.

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Eneida was extremely pleased with the ways in which she benefited from the scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Meeting and interacting with someone who gave me a fantastic insight into the industry I want to go in and increased my knowledge of what opportunities there are out there. Really enjoyed immunisations with my mentor.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chose profession for definite.

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

I found my mentor incredibly helpful and her insight and advice is exactly what I was after. Definitely a worthwhile scheme!

The highlight for the mentor was:

Having the opportunity to help someone on a personal level – especially getting my mentee invited to an event being run by my company, assisting through application process and showing her round the head office

Paige, Charity and Development Work

During her second year Paige, Computing and Management student, was matched with the Communications and Project Manager at Oxford Brookes University.

This mentor is experienced in Advertising, Marketing and PR, Charity and Development Work, and HR. Her previous employment includes HR Emergency Coordinator at Oxfam and Internal Communications Adviser at Oxfam. Since 2010 she has been working at Oxford Brookes University.

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Paige revealed more details about the ways in which the scheme helped her.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I thoroughly enjoyed the work shadowing opportunity. It gave me great insight into the working day and job sector and I felt that I learned more on that day than if someone simply told me about it.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The work shadowing and insight into my chosen profession were most useful. It was helpful to find out the pros and cons of the chosen profession and the work shadowing opened up some more job options that I hadn’t previously considered.

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

Throw yourself into it. By doing so you will gain the most from it.

Her mentor said:

“[The highlight for me was] helping to shape my mentee’s thinking around her career direction”