Category Archives: Geography

Alexandra, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Geography, Media Publishing and Journalism, , , ,

Alexandra was interested in going into Media, Publishing and Journalism. A Geography student she decided to apply to the Career Mentor Scheme in the second term of her first year. She was successfully matched with Assistant Editor at BBC Radio Cornwall.

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This mentor provided a lot of support and guidance to Alexandra. Apart from achieving personal development, such as improving her confidence, Alexandra also obtained help with application forms, developed professional contacts and got an insight into the good and bad aspects of the sector.

Were there any other objectives you achieved?

More commercial awareness of radio industry, observation of the different ways shows are presented and produced.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

  • Visiting BBC Radio Cornwall and being trusted to go out into the public, record sound clips and edit them together to be played on the radio. 
  • Being allowed to be in the same room when the news was being read out live.
  • Sitting with the producer during a call in show, learning how the technology worked as well as customer service skills.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Real life work experience; the opportunity to see a working radio station throughout various points of the day, what the staff do, the different jobs/positions they have and the efficiency of running from one show to the next.

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

You really get an insight into a career and gain invaluable knowledge and contacts.

Her mentor said:

“Meeting such enthusiastic, clever youngsters and assisting them in their future development [was the highlight of the scheme for me]!”

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.”

Joshua, Mining, Environment and Natural Resources

Environment and Natural Resources, Geography, ,

Joshua, second year Geography student was matched with the Head of Energy & Environment at Bicton College.

This mentor has previously worked as a Section Leader Environment & Sustainability and Founding Associate at Catalys. Prior to that he was Head of Energy & Carbon Policy at West Midlands Development Agency and Partnership Development Manager at East Midlands Development Agency.

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Joshua had some really positive feedback to give on the ways in which the scheme was beneficial to him:

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Massively improved application techniques and had far higher success rate than prior to the scheme.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Someone in my desired sector who could give me information and tailor my applications to what companies desire from candidates. 

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

Definitely apply for somebody within your desired career sector, they can provide you with both insight and personalised application tips for that sector.

 

 

Rosie, Advertising, Marketing and PR

Advertising Marketing and PR, Geography, , ,

Rosie participated in the Career Mentor Scheme in her final year of studying Geography. She was interested in getting into the Advertising, Marketing and PR industry and was thus matched with a Strategy Director at BBH London.

This mentor graduated from Exeter with an English Literature degree in 2005 and has gained a variety of experiences at a number of organisations, including working as a Planner at Lowe for 3 years, as Head of Planning at Edelman for 20 months and then as a Planner at Anomaly. In 2013 he started as a Senior Planner at M&C Saatchi, where he spent over a year and then moved on as a freelance planner at Nonsense London.

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Rosie informed us of the way the Career Mentor Scheme helped her.

She achieved various job hunting objectives, amongst which finding work experience, and personal development objectives, such as getting help in improving her CV. She also increased her knowledge of the entry requirements for the Advertising, Marketing and PR sector and learned more about what the good and bad aspects of the profession are.

Were there any other objectives you achieved?

Better understanding of different levels/sizes of marketing/advertising agencies.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Meeting with my mentor in person, whilst emailing was an effective form of communication, meeting was a more personal experience.

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

It is definitely a rewarding and worthwhile experience. It is very straightforward to apply for, and there are many potential benefits to gaining a first-hand insight into your industry of choice.