With support, student and mentor will draw up a Learning Contract setting out the objectives for the scheme, and how they can achieve them. The aim is to build a mutually supportive relationship, with the objectives that could include;
We match students to mentors based on certain criteria, namely, career area/course studied and gender. We hope that courses being studied can be matched with the relevant business skills that mentors possess, but we cannot guarantee this. Indeed, it is not the only objective of the scheme.
The most important element is that student and mentor build a relationship which provides both parties with development opportunities, regardless of course studies and business sector.
Students can benefit by learning about career areas, which they had not thought of before.
If you are an ex mentee with a success story due to this scheme please could you contact us.
Please see below some previous success stories
BA Hons Creative Writing
University of Greenwich
It has been a privilege to have been mentored within the Houses of Parliament for the past eight months. Whilst engaged on the Scheme, I took advantage of a vast range of career enhancing opportunities from the outset, with gratitude of course to my dedicated mentor, Grahame Danby.
Over the course of the Scheme I was given a mock job interview, met several of my mentor’s senior colleagues and experienced the variety of work that is essential to keep the body of Parliament fully functioning. I found the diversity of team meetings, work and cooperation inspirational.
From the week commencing 6th June 2011 to the 10 June 2011, I worked with the Home Affairs Section and for one day I worked within the Department of Chamber and Committee Services, for the Upper and Lower Table Offices. Undoubtedly, the two Departments’ nature of work is quite different nevertheless, the reason why I applied for this Scheme was to learn from areas of work that were previously arbitrary to me. I successfully achieved this goal. Thus, I have learnt life-long applicable lessons for my future professional career.
My fundamental aspiration is to be a Screenplay Writer within the contexts of Hollywood. It is with momentous acknowledgement that I offer my thanks to the University of Greenwich and the Guidance & Employability Team for giving me this special opportunity. Ultimately, participating in the Mentoring Scheme has enabled me to gain vital professional contacts and has subsequently opened many new paths for me.
Managing Director - Lion HR Solutions Ltd
I was once invited to an innovation success event, to give a speech on the power networking, which was aim to increase awareness of career opportunities at the university of East London. At the event I remember saying "There are tons of books on success, but hardly any on why people fail". Why do people fail? There are many reasons why people fail. The most common 3 reasons are: Failure to recognise success is a process or lack of focus and confidence and failure to take action.
As I approached graduation, I was finding it really hard to get an interview, or even think of a full time HR job. I lacked the self-confidence to succeed. I almost gave up, when NMC came to my rescue. From the Mentor - Mentee relationships with Jackie from DWP, I had a shoulder to cry on, she was an inspiration. She helped me build my confidence which landed me with a full-time HR role as an HR projects officer. Even after the 6months of the mentor - mentee relationship, Jackie has always been in contact with me; to make sure I am doing well. After my 1st HR project came to an end, within one week, I got another project to help create a HR department for a distribution firm. At the end of the project, I was again without a job, but I remembered Jackie’s words: “Press on. Never give up”. So, with this guidance in mind, I formed Lion HR Solutions and have being acting as a recruitment manager for clients. For me, NMC has been a very warm and welcoming environment, it encouraged me to develop a positive attitude and make the most of my talents. I would recommend this programme to anyone. I would like thank NMC, mentors, further mentors and their companies; they are all a crucial part of this journey.
University of Westminster
BA Hons Business Management (major in Finance & Accountancy) Graduated in 2004 with an upper first class degree
Occupation: Head of Communications & Training - Balfour Beatty Group
I am responsible for leading the strategic communication and delivering the training & development programme for a contract with the Metropolitan Police. This involves working with members of the Senior Management Team, Client Team as well as over 200 staff to drive forward organisational change to meet business objectives.
Whilst still at University, I was fortunate enough to receive job offers which were of interest to me. This allowed me to concentrate on my final exams without the added pressure of having to worry about getting a job afterwards.
One of the main reasons for this was my participation in the Mentoring Scheme. It was helpful in allowing me to learn from the experiences of a professional and share my ambitions with them. Through the Mentor- Mentee relationship, I was able to focus on what I wanted to achieve within the first 5 years of my career.
The Mentors selected for the scheme are very friendly and forthcoming with their knowledge. However, the onus is definitely on the Mentee to be proactive and gain as much out of the scheme as possible. This helps the Mentee to tailor the programme to match their needs.
Several graduate employers consider mentoring to be of immense value when recruiting staff and have developed their own mentoring schemes to help young professionals. In my experience, employers are very impressed with students who take ownership of their development and have the confidence of building relationships with experienced industry professionals.
I definitely enjoyed taking part in the scheme. The value of mentoring will continue to benefit me throughout my professional career.
For more Mentee testimonials please click on link below
Ethnic Minority Undergraduate Scheme Testimonials
Enterprising Sabrina sets up innovative single parents’ network for East London
http://www.themobilesinglemotherproject.co.uk/
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