All posts by Joanna Louise McCreedie

Natasha, Law and Legal Services

Law and Legal Services, Philosophy,

During her third year Natasha Methven was looking to enter the Law and Legal Services sector after graduating. Coming from a Theology degree, she applied to the Career Mentor Scheme in order to get advice and help from a mentor in her sector of interest, and she was matched with a Solicitor at Payne Hicks Beach.

This mentor has graduated from Exeter also with a non-Law degree. He did English and then went to the BBP Law School in London. When he joined Payne Hicks Beach as a Trainee Solicitor he did four 6-month seats across four different departments.

natasha

At the end of their 6-month mentoring partnership Natasha told us more about the advantages she got from the scheme: “[The scheme] increased my desire to go into that profession.”

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Being able to attend my mentor’s place of work was highly beneficial as I had a detailed chat with him and also gained a feel for the firm.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen profession.

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

It is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into your chosen profession and gain expert advice from people who have been through the same process.

Neel, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services,

Neel Rokad, second-year LLP Law student was matched with a Partner at Ropes & Gray LLP for a 6-month mentoring partnership.

This mentor has worked for a variety of different law firms in his career. He started off at Slaughter and May, where he was first a Trainee and then became an Associate. After spending 11 years there, in 2005 he moved to Wickersham & Tarf, where he spent 3 years as a Partner.

neel

Neel achieved all pre-set objectives, such as increasing his knowledge of job hunting techniques and improving his personal development objectives. He gave us an insight of his mentoring experience.

Were there any other objectives you achieved?

Getting help on soft skills such as networking.

Please let us know some of the highlights for you during the scheme.

Getting personalised advice on how my mentor got to where he was.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Really helpful advice on how to approach being rejected from interviews etc.

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

I didn’t realise how much the Scheme would help me until I finished. The fact that you have someone who is at the apex of their field taking time out to discuss how you can improve and garner your own success is something that really motivates you.

His mentor also shared with us his excitement for the scheme:

“Neel was delightful and very much looking for advice!”

Felix, Leisure, Sport and Tourism

Leisure Sport and Tourism, Sport and Health Sciences,

Felix, a final year Exercise and Sport Science stydent, was looking to get into the Leisure, Sport and Tourism sector. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, he was matched with the Senior Development Manager at Active Devon.

This mentor has graduated from Exeter in 2003. Since 2005 he has held various roles within Active Devon and when he began mentoring Felix his main responsibility was managing and developing sport and physical activity participation programmes in Devon.

sports-tennis-1553841

After being supported and guided for a period of six months, Felix informed us of the advantages of the scheme to him apart from achieving all job hunting, personal development and career objectives which were set at the beginning.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Visiting my mentor’s workplace, learning about day-to-day activities and the position of the company within the sector. Getting involved with an ongoing project which provided first-hand experience of the work done by Active Devon [was another highlight].

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

What I found most useful was the insight I got into the sector and the work experience opportunity I was provided.

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

The Career Mentor Scheme is a great way to gain an insight into a career sector whilst offering the opportunity to build your network. The scheme is well-organised and definitely worth taking advantage of, if there is a suitable mentor that can add to your knowledge and experiences.

 

Anastasiya, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services,

During her second year Anastasiya was accepted onto the scheme. Studying LLB Law she wanted to get first-hand advice about how to get into the industry and she was matched with a Solicitor at Thomson Snell & Passmore.

anastasiya

At the end of their 6-month partnership Anastasiya discussed with us the ways in which she benefited from the scheme.

What was the highlight of the scheme for you?

The highlight for me was the personal meeting with my mentor and the help I received with application forms.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found the insight into my chosen profession most useful.

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

I’d strongly encourage everyone to apply as this experience is invaluable – mentees can get an insight which is beyond any attendance of an open day.

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.

rosie

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.

Mia, Insurance, Pensions and Actuarial

Insurance Pensions and Actuarial, Mathematics, , ,

During her final year of doing Mathematics, Mia was matched with a mentor who at the time of the partnership was a Senior Pension Consultant and Pension Scheme Actuary at JLT.  This mentor helped Mia who wanted to get into the Insurance, Pension and Actuarial sector by providing career guidance and advice.

Mia told us more about how the Career Mentor Scheme helped her develop her career path:

Apart from achieving all objectives, which were set at the beginning of their partnership, such as increasing Mia’s knowledge of effective application forms in this sector, improving her personal development skills and widening her contacts, other achieved objectives included: “Networking with other actuaries, gaining and insight into the occupation, help with CV and cover letters, understanding what skills and qualities are most important for the job”.

mia

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I really enjoyed the pre-arranged meeting with the mentor. […] I felt that it really helped me get to know Terry and gain a better relationship with me from our following email conversations.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Being put in contact with an Actuary is probably one of the most useful opportunities I’ve received from the Career Zone. My mentor gave me ample information about the actuarial world, put me in contact with other actuaries (extremely helpful in terms of asking more questions and gaining further insight) and most importantly he gave me confidence that I am capable of succeeding in this career. He gave me reassurance that failing an exam is not uncommon and I should use this only to become more determined and try until I do succeed.

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

If you are unsure as to whether your career choice is the right one, get a career mentor. They can give you that insight you need and help you decide whether it’s right for you. Come prepared with questions and don’t be afraid to ask for help – that’s what they’re there for and why they have decided to mentor you!!

Liberty, Law and Legal Services

Classics and Ancient History, 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.

Jacob, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Drama, Media Publishing and Journalism, , ,

Jacob participated in the Career Mentor Scheme is his second year. Doing a Drama degree, Jacob wanted to go into the Media, Publishing and Journalism sector and was thus matched with a mentor in the same sector, a freelance TV series producer.

Having graduated from Exeter with a Drama degree, this mentor had been in the industry as a freelance TV producer for 12 years at the time when the mentoring partnership began. His main responsibility was managing teams during the filming process.

jacob

Jacob discussed with us how the Career Mentor Scheme helped his employability and career development.

Jacob increased his knowledge of effective interview techniques and finding work experience in this sector. He improved his personal development skills and knowledge of further professional courses related to this sector. He also received help to improve his CV and got a chance to meet with people working in the filed and thus widened his contacts and networking opportunities.

What did you find most useful?

Insight into the profession.

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

Meet with your mentor as much as you can, ask as many questions as possible and take any opportunity that comes your way!

Lavanyaa, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Media Publishing and Journalism, Politics and International Relations, , ,

Whilst in her second year, Politics and International Relations student Lavanyaa, who was looking to get into the Media, Publishing and Journalism sector was mentored by a freelance journalist.

This mentor graduated from Exeter with a Biology with Animal Behaviour degree, but then pursued a Journalism career. After working as an Essayist at the Kernel and as a Reporter at Real Business, he became a freelance journalist working for various organisations, such as New Scientist, Observer and Vice. This was also his position  at the time of his partnership with Lavanyaa and as such his main responsibilities were in technology and business journalism, copyediting, PR, research and client relations.

lavanyaa

Lavanyaa told us of her experience of the Career Mentor Scheme:

She improved her personal development skills and her knowledge of further professional courses related to the Journalism sector. She increased her knowledge of the sector entry requirements and found out more about the good and bad aspects of the profession. Furthermore, she learned how to write, to get inspired and how to source information and facts.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Learning about my mentor’s experiences, getting advice on my writing style, and learning how to write an article.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Learning how to pitch to editors and how to freelance.

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

Do it, it gives you a wealth of information particularly for professions like journalism that are hard to get into and there is no direct route.

Alice, Education, Teaching and Research

Classics and Ancient History, 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.