Category Archives: Human Resources Recruitment and Training

Molly, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training

Business and Management, Human Resources Recruitment and Training, Psychology

Molly, MSc Human Resource Management student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain knowledge about the field of Human Resources and becoming more confident in professional situations. Through the scheme, Molly was matched with a Politics Graduate from the University of Exeter, is a Human Resources Consultant at West Sussex County Council.

Molly tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

From talking to my career mentor I have a better understanding of HR in different sectors and types of organisation. I also have a better understanding of more general HR roles as well as more specialised ones. This knowledge will really help me with deciding what kind of HR role would suit me best.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

I really enjoyed getting to know my career mentor a bit better, and hearing how she got into HR in the first place. It was great that I was able to meet her and she was very supportive of me and what I was doing.

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

I would definitely recommend applying for the Career Mentor Scheme as it is an excellent opportunity for you to be able to talk to a professional in the field for a long period of time. This was immensely helpful for me and built my confidence about applying for jobs. My career mentor also helped me with my CV and answered all of the many questions I had about that profession. We have stayed in touch and they have kindly offered to provide further help or guidance if I need it which is amazing.

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.

Benjamin, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training

Human Resources Recruitment and Training, Theology

Benjamin, Theology student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn more about the Human Resources profession and hear about individual career experiences. Through the scheme, Benjamin was matched with a Senior HR Manager for De Beers. His main responsibilities include leading the HR team in the downstream sector of the business to support three businesses in 14 countries with qualifications including a BA in Archaeology and an MBA.

“I have received fantastic support from my mentor”

Benjamin achieved all of his objectives including being offered a graduate job, widened his contacts, and increased his knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector.

Benjamin shared his experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

It was great to receive advice and support from a senior person in HR

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I will meet my mentor next week and I think this will be a great opportunity to discuss my next career step.

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

Definitely apply. It is a great opportunity to receive advice and support from someone working in a job that interests you. I have received fantastic support from my mentor, which has helped me to think about the career path I would like to pursue.

Gracie, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training

Business and Management, economics, Human Resources Recruitment and Training, , , , ,

Gracie, a Business Economics student, was interested in a variety of careers in the commercial sector and wanted to use the Career Mentor Scheme to help make a decision about her future career choice. Through the scheme, Gracie was matched with a HR Consultant for Aible with qualifications including BA Geography, MSc Human Resource Management and a Certificate in Business Strategy. Her role includes providing outsourced HR support to businesses.

“Do not be afraid to ask them anything.”

Gracie achieved all of her objectives including receiving academic help, received help to improve her CV and widening her professional network within the sector.

Gracie shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Speaking to a professional in an industry I am interested in, understanding what my mentor perceives to be the good and bad aspects of their job. Also hearing about how they came into the position they are currently in, and realising their career path did not progress perfectly.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Extremely helpful in the application and interview stages for my industrial placement.

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

Make the most of the opportunity and do not be afraid to ask them anything.

Aimee, Human Resources

Human Resources Recruitment and Training, Psychology

Aimee participated in the Career Mentor Scheme during her second year. Interested in Human Resources, Aimee was matched with a University of Exeter alumnus and Human Resources Manager for the General council of the bar.

Aimee was able to visit her mentor’s place of work in Sitingbourne to gain invaluable insight into the field and felt that her objectives for the mentor scheme had mostly been met. She was able to improve her confidence and personal skills necessary for graduate employment as well as learn about good and bad aspects of the sector. Aimee also felt that she had made a friend and future professional contact in her mentor.

Aimee shared some insights into the ways in which the scheme was beneficial to her:

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I met my mentor at their place of work and I was able to talk with other members of the department as well as my mentor.  

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I gained valuable insight into my chosen profession and advice on the methods that are available to me in order to achieve a successful career in the field.

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

It is a very useful scheme that enables you to gain an invaluable insight into your chosen profession and in particular from an individual, in my experience, who is more than happy to provide plenty of advice and guidance! 

Joseph, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training

Human Resources Recruitment and Training, , , ,

Joseph was a Materials Engineering student who applied to the Career Mentor Scheme in his second year. Due to his interest in the  Human Resources, Recruitment and Training sector he was matched with a Director and owner of management consultancy company Dartington Associates Ltd.

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Joseph had a suburb experience being mentored. He achieved various objectives including obtaining job hunting resources and gaining professional experience to put on his CV.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Mentor set up a visit to Becton dickinson; got to see the manufacture of medical equipment.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Work experience, feedback from CV and interview.

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

Do it – what have you got to lose? Potentially lots to gain.
Know what you want to get out of it.

“I was able to assist with CV and interview techniques and to arrange a one day work experience for my mentee.” Joseph’s mentor

Jaime, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training

Accounting and Finance, Human Resources Recruitment and Training, ,

Coming from an Accounting and Finance degree Jaime wanted to get into the Human Resources, Recruitment and Training sector. She successfully applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to be mentored by a Publicity Manager at Acas.

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Jaime benefited from the mentoring partnership in various ways. This mentor helped Jaime consider the next steps after university and assisted Jaime in developing her professional contacts. Jaime also had her CV improved and received help with application forms.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

The opportunity given to me by my mentor to meet professionals in my sector. She did a lot to give me such opportunities.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Work shadowing, networking opportunities, insight into future graduate career application.

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

Really helpful as long as you do not demand too much of your mentor, and appreciate every opportunity he/she creates for you.

Laura, Human Resources

English, Human Resources Recruitment and Training, ,

During her final year Laura applied to be mentored by Head of Human Resources at Canaccord Genuity Hawkpoint, a corporate finance advisory firm.

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Laura gave us an insight into her experience of the Career Mentor Scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

The highlight of the scheme for me was being able to meet my mentor in person. Being able to see the London investment banking environment was incredibly helpful in enabling me to recognise early on in the year that I wasn’t personally suited to work in this particular location.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

When faced with the difficult decision of choosing between a variety of graduate scheme offers, my mentor provided me with invaluable insight and advice about the advantages and disadvantages of each company and the reward package that they offered. This enabled me to make a well informed decision about my future career, something that would not have been possible without the brilliant support from my mentor.

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

It’s incredibly helpful if you want to find out information about a specific industry or sector.