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.