Category Archives: Modern Languages

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.

Ruth, Language and Translation

English, Language and Translation, Modern Languages

Ruth, English student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain advice on how to gain work experience in the industry and improve her employability. Through the scheme, Ruth was paired with a Self-employed Translator and Teacher at Sarah L. Kirkby Uebersetzungen. This mentor’s main responsibilities include translation of texts including quality and punctuality, and teaching of English to all levels.

“Well worth getting involved in”

Ruth achieved many objectives including received very good, detailed advice about the sector itself, increased knowledge of sector entry requirements and improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector.

Ruth shared her experience:

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found the advice I was given about good and bad aspects and the logistics of working in that profession to be very useful.

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

If you are thinking of going into a specific sector this will give you so much more insight than a simple google search and yahoo answers! Well worth getting involved in.

Huijian, Education, Training and Research

Education Teaching and Research, Modern Languages, , ,

Huijian, a TESEOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) student, was interested in a career in teaching and wanted help to improve her English teaching skills and classroom management. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Huijian was matched with a retired Head teacher with employment history as a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for the Yellow Pages and Education Manager at Young Offenders Institute. This mentor has a Certificate in Education and a National Professional Qualification for Headship.

“I got the job I want in China by the end of this scheme”

Huijian was able achieve all of her objectives including improving her professional skills, such as designing a lesson, classroom management and was able to observe a lesson given by her mentor.

Huijian shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

The knowledge and experience I gained from the scheme was helpful in my job application. I got the job I want in China by the end of this scheme.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

More confidence and understanding the commitment of being a teacher.

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

The scheme will be a great help to your career if you are willing to take advice and use them.

Penelope, Language and Translation

Education Teaching and Research, Modern Languages, , , ,

Penelope, a French and German student, was interested in a career in teaching in a variety of locations such as Germany, France or the UK. Penelope applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn about other career paths related to her degree, such as Translation, and post graduate study. Through the scheme, Penelope was matched with a Translator focusing on French and Italian texts being translated to English. He has a BA Hons in French with Subsidiary Italian, Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a Diploma in Translation.

“I feel I know a lot more about the sector”

Penelope achieved many objectives including widened her professional network, increasing her knowledge of job hunting resources in the sector, and increasing her knowledge of effective interview techniques.

Penelope shared her experience:

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I really learnt a lot more about the sector and possible entry paths. I am now considering several different options and feel I know a lot more about the sector.

Phoebe, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Media Publishing and Journalism, Modern Languages, , , , ,

Phoebe, a French and Spanish student, was interested in a career in the Publishing sector but wanted to learned more about distinguishing herself from other graduates, begin networking and growing her confidence. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Phoebe was matched with a Digital Feature Editor for GQ Plus and a Freelance Writer for the Times, Glamour, Brides, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce magazines. This mentor has also worked as a Senior Writer for Top Gear Magazine and written for The Observer and the Telegraph.

“The ideal opportunity to delve deeper into a particular sector”

Phoebe achieved many objectives including insight into possible master qualifications in Journalism, increased knowledge of sector entry requirements and received help in improving her CV..

Phoebe discussed her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

The ability to have an honest opinion from somebody already working in the sector I intend to enter after graduation.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Further insight into advantages and disadvantages of career
  • How to progress after graduation in terms of finding internships and applying for jobs

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

The scheme provides the ideal opportunity to delve deeper into a particular sector/insight into the working world.

Simona, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, economics, Modern Languages, , , ,

Simona wanted to pursue a career in the Accounting and Auditing sector. As part of the Career Mentor Scheme she was mentored by a Non-executive director at BDO LLP. After completing his BA History and Politics and MA Modern European History with French at Exeter, this mentor also completed ACA and FCA. In 2005 he completed PMD at Harvard Business School.

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Simona shared an insight into how the Career Mentor Scheme was useful to her.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I enjoyed having constant personal support, whenever I needed it, and having it tailored to what I needed at the time. For example when I had an interview coming up, I just emailed my mentor and we set up a skype call where he coached me through it.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Getting one-on-one insight into the industry, being coached through an assessment day and interview.

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

I would highly advise it! I think it’s one of the best ways, aside from interning, to prepare for the professional industry while at university.

Josephine, Education, Teaching and Research

Education Teaching and Research, Modern Languages, , , ,

Josephine wanted to get into the Education, Teaching and Research sector. Through the Career Mentor Scheme she was matched with Headteacher at Ratcliffe College.

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Being mentored really helped Josephine develop her career path.

My mentor helped me to consider different pathways into teaching and which was most suited to me.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

The advice my mentor gave me about what Head Teachers look for when employing staff was invaluable as he also encouraged me to further my personal development in order to stand out in the future.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The insight my mentor gave me into the interview and application process from the point of view of an employer.

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

Mentors can give you invaluable information about what employers look for and how you can make yourself stand out from the field.

The highlight of the scheme for the mentor was:

“Hearing my mentee report back with audible excitement on work experience she had undertaken at my advice, that reinforced her desire to entire the teaching profession.”