Celebrating Exeter’s Career Mentor Scheme

The Career Mentor Scheme brings bright, enthusiastic second year undergraduate students together with successful professionals who support students by providing invaluable insight, advice and guidance regarding their chosen career for 12 months.

Alumnus Ian Martin, Management Consultant for his own business who mentored Sociology student, Kate Cragg, told how he helped her turn her summer internship into a graduate position:

“For me, it was really satisfying in terms of giving feedback in a way that allowed Kate to pick those things up, to share all my experiences from over the years, and to help other people and see how they work through their careers,” he said.

“Also, to recognise that this is only the start in preparing Kate for a long career and it’s important from my perspective that she is prepared as possible to start her new job.”

Peter Baldwin, Partner at Ropes & Gray LLP, also an Exeter alumnus praised Law student Laura Clark, for securing a training contract at an international Law firm.

He also explained the importance of mentoring in helping students without a family background or contacts in their chosen sector:

“I think a mentoring scheme in itself is a very small way of contributing, I hope, to creating a better and more meritocratic world where the mere fact that someone doesn’t have prebait access to what professions might be like as a result of the accident of birth is taken away,” he said.

The full day programme was opened by Paul Blackmore, Head of Employability and Graduate Development, who spoke about the Scheme’s achievements and contribution it has made to improving the employability of Exeter students.

Jo McCreedie, Employer Liaison Officer, said “We are incredibly lucky to have mentors who are committed to their own learning and development, as well as their mentee’s. The forum provided a great opportunity for the mentors to reflect upon their skills. “

For further information about the Career Mentor Scheme, please contact Jane Harding, careermentorscheme@exeter.ac.uk, 01392 722034.

We are currently seeking new mentors to start in January 2014, if you are interested in mentoring a student, please visit: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/employers/mentor/

If you are student interested in participating in the Scheme, please visit: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/mentor/