The University of Winchester celebrated the success of its Professional Mentoring Programme at a special event held at the West Downs Centre.
The mentoring programme matches students to industry professionals to help improve their employability and career readiness and is part of Winchester’s Access & Participation Plan to support graduates’ progression after university.
This year’s programme had 52 mentors from industry paired up with the same number of final year students.
Mentors came from 47 organisations including Solent Mind, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hampshire Constabulary, Ministry of Defence, St. John’s Winchester, and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.
Nineteen mentors were University of Winchester alumni.
Typical topics covered in the programme include networking and building connections as well as general employability topics such as CV writing and preparing for interviews.
Mentors join for many reasons - to support an individual, share advice and knowledge, or maybe because they had a mentor themselves and know the impact it can make.
One mentor noted that the most rewarding part of being a mentor is: “The opportunity to see the mentee's confidence and knowledge grow over time. It's such a pleasure to help their journey into the workforce and to contribute to the development of the next generation of professionals, leaders, or entrepreneurs. The sense of giving back/paying it forward is deeply rewarding.”
Another noted that: “Meeting a person at the end of one chapter and the beginning of another” was the most rewarding part.
Mentees join the programme to gain insight from professionals working in industry and one commented: “Having a mentor not only opened my eyes to what opportunities I have but also boosted my confidence and provided me with someone to talk my thoughts through with regarding my future.”
At the celebration event the University’s Careers & Opportunities Team thanked mentees and mentors for being involved in the programme and presented certificates.
The Careers & Opportunities team is looking to expand this important scheme and would like to hear from anyone interested in being a mentor. Contact mentoring.careers@winchester.ac.uk for further information.
Pictured top: Mentors and mentees at the celebration evening held at West Downs.
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