Employer Mentoring Programme
Student Support Initiative Awards 2022 Winner
Goal: To increase student knowledge of their sector of interest and enhance career aspirations and future employability prospects.
Students explore the mentor’s career journey, access insights into sector trends and developments, and identify - or be signposted to - work experience and professional development opportunities.
Submitted by: Audrey Decou, Alana MacLeod, and Lorna Ferguson
“Listening to my mentor discussing his career path and how he got to where he is, was hugely impactful. I also gained new knowledge and specific information about the third sector, including practical signposts and resources on how to find employment opportunities.” Employer Mentoring Programme Mentee
“It was a pleasure and privilege to provide mentoring support to the university’s students over the last few months. I have been in this sector for a few decades now, but not that long that I can’t remember how utterly ‘stuck’ I was on completing university.” Employer Mentoring Programme Mentor
Project: Designed in partnership with prominent local and national businesses the programme provides students with the opportunity to access insights, advice, and support, from a professional working in their sector of interest. An easily accessible yet hugely beneficial learning, development, and networking opportunity, the programme runs over 6 months (October to April) with mentoring taking place via e-mail, phone, or video call.
Benefit to: 3rd and 4th year degree students from any academic partner and all disciplines (with the exception of students from creative courses, who can access the LevelUp! Programme).
Key message: to bridge academia and industry
- Improve student CVs
- Increase student’s confidence in communicating and networking with professionals
- Develop graduate attributes and ‘softer skills’
- Explore work experience and networking opportunities
- Increase understanding of the student’s sector/subject of interest
Project delivery
- Mentoring programmes run in parallel across all Subject Networks
- Attendance at mandatory information sessions for students taking part
- Sessions set expectations and prompt students to consider what they would like to achieve
- Discussions between student and their mentor take place once a month for the duration of the Programme
- CDEEOs check-in with both parties on a monthly basis, to ensure all those involved are happy with progress
64 students from 3 subject networks | industry contacts | Mentee evaluation form provides annual feedback| Advice on recruitment resources in the mentor’s sector | Signposting to aid search for internships and work experience | Commercial and sector awareness