Starting a career can be very confusing and sometimes overwhelming, especially for students or recent graduates. The University of Westminster’s Future Ready Mentoring program helps to connect students with professionals, making the transition from school to work easier. As a mentee in this program, I had the chance to learn from experienced professionals who gave me guidance, support, and valuable insights, which has greatly improved my confidence.
The Structure of the Future Ready Mentoring Program
The Future Ready Mentoring program offers different types of mentoring to fit the needs of students and graduates, including long-term, short-term, and group mentoring. Each type is designed to be flexible around the busy schedules of both mentors and mentees. The Career Mentoring Programme, which I participated in, involves a six-month mentoring relationship with an experienced professional, allowing for a deep and sustained connection. The Ask a Mentor Service provides one-time mentoring sessions focused on specific career-related questions or advice and the Group Mentoring organises sessions based on student interest, creating a collaborative environment where we students can learn together and from each other.
The Application Process
Applying for the Future Ready Mentoring program was straightforward. I applied for the 2023/24 cycle through the Engage platform, providing detailed information about my career goals and background. After submission, my application was reviewed by the Mentoring Team, and I received a notification that it would be screened, with the outcome communicated via email. I got accepted and invited to a mentee training workshop that prepared me for the mentoring experience. Following the training, the team matched me with a mentor. About a month later after submitting my application, I received an email with my mentor’s details: Kevin Amouzou, a Senior Infrastructure Consultant and Senior Business Analyst, who was chosen based on my career interests and goals.
Mentoring Welcome Event and Coffee & Catch-Up Sessions
To kick off the mentoring relationship, the program organised a Welcome Event at the University of Westminster’s Portland Hall at The Little Titchfield Street campus. This event was a fantastic opportunity to meet my mentor in person and network with other mentors and mentees. Additionally, the program hosted regular Coffee and Catch-Up sessions. These informal online drop-in events allowed mentees to connect with the Mentoring Team, discuss their mentoring experiences, and ask questions, fostering a supportive community.
My Personal Experience
From the start, I felt very supported and encouraged in the Future Ready Mentoring program. My mentor, who is very experienced in my field of interest, became an important source of knowledge and inspiration for me. During our sessions, we covered many important topics for my career, such as preparing for interviews, improving my CV, and understanding the daily tasks of a business analyst.
Here are 4 key benefits I gained from this experience:
- Insights into the professional world – Monthly meetings and discussions gave me a good understanding of the professional landscape and different career paths in the industry.
- Skills development – The sessions were not just about advice but also about practical skills. My mentor helped me improve my interview techniques, CV writing skills, and research skills to apply for jobs.
- Confidence building – The program gave me a boost in self-confidence. Regular feedback and encouragement from my mentor made me believe in my abilities and potential
- Professional growth – One of the best results was getting a part-time job with the Global Mobility Team at the University of Westminster. We did a mock interview where my mentor taught me the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for answering interview questions. This method helped me structure my responses effectively to show my skills and experiences. Because of this, I felt confident and ready during the actual job interview, and I was able to get the job.
I am very grateful for this opportunity to have been a mentee in the Future Ready Mentoring program, and I highly recommend it to any student who wants to improve their career prospects. The benefits are significant, whether through long-term engagement, short-term advice, or group sessions. They can greatly impact your professional journey, as they did for me.
Thanks for reading,
Melissa
Digital Business MSc student
For more insights from international students studying at the University of Westminster and living in the heart of London, please visit International Student Blogs
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