Category Archives: Degree Subject

Chang, Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations

Accounting and Auditing, Accounting and Finance, Logistics Supply Chain and Operations, ,

Through the Career Mentor Scheme Chang, studying Accounting and Finance was matched with a Network Development & Implementation Programme Manager at Fonterra. This mentor has experience in Operations, Consultancy and Purchasing and Procurement. His previous employment includes moving up from Analyst to Consultant, Senior Consultant and finally Manager at Deloitte.

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The Career Mentor Scheme brought many advantages to Chang.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Getting to know my mentor not only as a professional, but also an ordinary person. It was great to learn how a professional can achieve work/life balance and to find out more about my mentor’s view towards careers and various life experiences.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen sector & Guidance/advice on career options.

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 boost your confidence and communication skill, and it also provides this invaluable opportunity to gain insights into your chosen sector/industry.

“Chang was great, lovely to reconnect with the University and what is happening, plus provide support and guidance to someone at the start of their career” – Chang’s Mentor

 

Rebecca, Education, Teaching and Research

Education Teaching and Research, Geography,

Rebecca applied to the Career Mentor Scheme in order to get guidance and advice about getting into Education, Teaching and Research. Her mentor was a Geography Teacher at Rookwood School. This mentor is an Exeter alumnus who has had a wide variety of experiences in the industry. Prior to joining Rookwood School she was a Geography Teacher at George Stephenson High School Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Apart from achieving all objectives Rebecca had set, such as developing professional contacts and preparing for the next steps after graduation, she also managed to see what teaching on a daily basis is like by visiting her mentor at her school and learning more about the profession from Hannah.

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What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I really enjoyed visiting the school, I sat in in some lessons and was really able to understand what it is like to teach a lesson, and everything else that goes with it. Visiting a school other than the one I went to also helped me to see how different schools operate, and overall I really enjoyed the experience.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I wanted to gain insight into teaching, and I definitely achieved that. My mentor was able to show me all of the work she does on a daily basis, from planning a lesson through to teaching it. This was incredibly useful as I was able to learn what it really takes to be teacher, which has helped to guide my work experience and internship choices to see if I am suited to the job.

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

Taking part in the career mentor scheme is such a valuable experience; not only did it give me a brilliant networking opportunity, but it also allowed me an insight into my chosen profession that is so difficult to find elsewhere.

“Really good to keep in touch via email – asking and answering emails -felt that I got to know Becky.  It was also great that she got to come to my school and meet with me in the work environment.” – Rebecca’s Mentor

Megan, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, economics, ,

Megan, Economics student, was really interested in going into the Banking and Financial Services sector and she was looking for guidance into the industry. Through the Career Mentor Scheme she was matched with a Director at Lloyds Bank. He was responsible for US Private Placements.

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Megan found the Career Mentor Scheme very helpful and enjoyed her partnership with her mentor.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

A highlight for me was the initial Meet Your Mentor event, where I was able to ask my first questions and make a plan for the scheme, which was stuck with and achieved.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The most useful thing about my mentoring experience was the professional help and opinion I was given on my CV, which has further allowed me to apply for placement level jobs.

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

Definitely apply for the Career Mentor Scheme. It will not only let you see the industry you may want to go into, but also provide a guide with your own professional development.

Katherine, Theatre and Performing Arts

Drama, English, Theatre and Performing Arts, , , ,

English and Drama student Katherine was mentored by a freelance actor through the Career Mentor Scheme. This mentor trained at Drama Studio London and the Actors Temple. His theatre credits include Templeton in Charlotte’s Web, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antonio in Twelfth Night for the Cambridge Shakespeare Company, and Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet at the Tower of London.

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Katherine benefited massively from the mentoring partnership. Here is what she shared with us:

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

As well as learning about industry from someone who has actually experienced it, this scheme gave me an opportunity to voice my concerns for employment with someone who was able to provide inspirational advice. The scheme was incredibly valuable in helping me to gain the courage to follow what I want to do, despite the challenges I will face.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

My mentor gave me comprehensive advice on the benefits of a post-graduate degree at a drama school, and also provided me with a reputable list of drama schools as a benchmark to begin my research. When enquired, he gave me tips on how to fund a postgraduate degree, calming my fears of everlasting debt and just generally making me feel better about the whole prospect!

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

If you’re feeling stuck regarding your career, or you just need a bit of a push to encourage you into doing something you really want to do, I’d really advise this scheme. My mentor was helpful, open and friendly, and really put my mind at ease regarding something that can often feel isolating and stressful.

Holly, Media, Publishing and Journalism

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

Holly was studying History and Politics and was looking for guidance into the Media, Publishing and Journalism sector. She applied to the Career Mentor Scheme and was matched with a Rights Administrator at Warner Bros. This mentor’s main responsibilities include managing the pre and post-sales administration of deals including output and volume agreements.negative-1531346

Holly had an amazing experience being mentored. She achieved every single objectives she had set at the beginning of their partnership, including gaining professional experience to put on her CV and obtaining help with application forms.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My highlights from this scheme was the work experience that my mentor helped me to get at Lionsgate. I spent the week helping various departments and also shadowing my mentor.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

My mentor’s insight into the TV and Film industry was one of the most helpful parts of the scheme for me. However, the work experience I did at Lionsgate where he works was really interesting and helpful. The CV and application advice was also very helpful.

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

This is the best opportunity to get a real-life insight into the career you’re interested in.

The highlight for the mentor was:

“Having my mentee to do some work experience with my company was great – especially as she proved herself to be friendly and hardworking.” 

Eneida, Information Services

Computer Science, Information Technology, , ,

Eneida was interested in going into the Information Services sector. Through the Career Mentor Scheme she was matched with a Senior Bid Manager at Atos IT Services Limited. This mentor is an experienced professional in the sector and also has experience in Management and Consultancy, and HR.

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Eneida was extremely pleased with the ways in which she benefited from the scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Meeting and interacting with someone who gave me a fantastic insight into the industry I want to go in and increased my knowledge of what opportunities there are out there. Really enjoyed immunisations with my mentor.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chose profession for definite.

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

I found my mentor incredibly helpful and her insight and advice is exactly what I was after. Definitely a worthwhile scheme!

The highlight for the mentor was:

“Having the opportunity to help someone on a personal level – especially getting my mentee invited to an event being run by my company, assisting through application process and showing her round the head office“

Jessica, Management and Consultancy

History, Management and Consultancy, , , , ,

History student Jessica was interested in going into Management and Consultancy. Through the Career Mentor Scheme she was matched with a Management Consultant at Hisley Consulting. This mentor also has experience in the Pharmaceutical and Supply chain sectors. Her previous employment includes General Manager of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Site and Director of Regional Outsourced Manufacturing organisation.

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Jessica gave us an insight into the ways in which she benefited from the scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Being able to meet with her and talk about consultancy with a neutral person (not family or friends) who was very knowledgeable and really helped me gain a perspective of what was expected of me and what I need to do to achieve such a position.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience? 

Insight into my chosen career. You don’t ever get an opportunity like this to talk to someone in depth about a certain career path which was invaluable experience.

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

It is a perfect way to get inside knowledge on a particular career and discuss your own ambitions and opportunities with someone neutral

 

Anya, Charity and Development Work

Charity and Development Work, English, History, , ,

In Term 2 of her first year Anya applied to the Career Mentor Scheme because she was looking for guidance and advice about how to get into Charity and Development work. After submitting a successful application, Anya was matched with a New Business Development Manager at Parkinsons UK.

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Through the scheme and Hannah’s help Anya achieved every single objective she had at the beginning of the scheme, including gaining work shadowing, having her CV proofread and improved and developing her interview techniques.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor kindly arranged two work insight days at her current and previous places of work. These days were incredibly valuable; rather than follow my mentor around all day, she had arranged short meetings with a variety of people, all of whom gave lots of different advice. I loved receiving a range of insights from different people.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I loved having a relatable role model in the sector – my mentor was young, female and had a similar background to me. I knew I could trust what she was saying and her advice was even more poignant because of its relevance to me.

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

This scheme is an absolute dream. It provides a supported, informal entrance to your chosen sector with individualized help from someone who already has experience. For me, there is no better way to find out information about a sector, profession or company. It even gives generalized advice about the workplace, the transition from university to working life, and career progression. Moreover, it allows you to build a rapport with a contact within an organization which goes beyond the end of the scheme.

The highlight for the mentor was:

“Having the opportunity to support someone so enthusiastic in the sector I was working in, and being able to understand her questions as it was where I was at 5 years ago.  The opportunity to stay connected to my university and offer a student real insight into a place of work.”

Jessica, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, economics, ,

Jessica, coming from an Economics degree participated in the Career Mentor Scheme and her mentor was a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank.

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This mentor provided Jessica with a lot of advice and insight into the industry. As a result Jessica developed her understanding of the industry as a whole – in particular she found out more about the reactions to new regulatory requirements.

Here is what she shared about the Career Mentor Scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor went over and above what I expected from the scheme in terms of support. We emailed regularly over the course of the scheme particularly over summer and I went to his office every 3 weeks to discuss various queries. One of the major highlights for me was the support I received from my mentor in the run up to my Morgan Stanley interview – I was asked questions surrounding regulation in my interview and my mentor gave me various material to ensure I was fully prepared for these questions. My mentor always replied promptly to my emails whenever I sent them – even when he was travelling regularly abroad!

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the industry and opportunities beyond the operations department in Morgan Stanley being the sector I have secured a year placement. Being able to speak to someone directly within the profession who deals with regulation – he was able to explain to me how it is impacting a number of broad departments within the bank. Gained a long term contact – still keeping in touch and hope to possibly go into Asset Management at a later stage of my life in Deutsche Bank.

 

Gemma, Charity and Development Work

Charity and Development Work, Politics and International Relations, , , , , ,

Gemma was interested in getting into Charity and Development Work. Studying towards a Politics and International Relations degree she applied for the Career Mentor Scheme and was as a result matched with a Fundraising (Development) Manager at the University of Exeter.

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Gemma found the mentoring partnership extremely helpful. She shared with us how the Career Mentor Scheme has helped her career development.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

The highlights of the scheme were gaining a real insight into the advantages and disadvantages of the not for profit sector, in particular the area of fundraising. My mentor was able to provide me with detailed information that is impossible to just find online. I was able to really consider what work experience I need to gain to prepare for my career and the steps required to gain a job.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found that insight into the not for profit sector was the most useful aspect of the mentor scheme.