糖心原创

The programme runs from November to March and includes: 

• One‑to‑one mentoring: You will be matched with a mentor and take part in monthly one-to-one conversations. Mentoring focuses on reflection, learning and insight rather than providing work experience or job opportunities. You must be able to commit to a one-hour session with your mentor each month of the programme, including December and January. You will build on your professional communication skills by leading the conversation and connecting with your mentor.  

• Online learning resources: Access to online resources to support your development during the mentoring process. 

• One to one career appointments: Optional sessions where you can ask questions and access support from the Careers team throughout the programme. 

The Careers team will support you throughout the programme, providing resources at the start of the programme to help you develop goals for the mentoring relationship and monthly check-in emails to help you reflect on your progress. 

This programme is open to all students and suitable to those who are: 

• Exploring career options and would like to learn more about a particular sector.

• Interested in a specific career area and would value insight from someone who works in that field. 

• Motivated to move forward with their career planning, those who are willing to step out of their comfort zone and show initiative to develop their professionalism.

You do not need to have a fixed career plan to apply. 

The Careers team manages the matching process. You will not know who your mentor is before you apply. 

Matching is based on an application form which will include: 

• Your stated areas of interest in different sectors 

• The type of support you would like 

• Your mentor’s experience and what support they can offer 

This helps ensure mentoring conversations are relevant, focused and supportive of your individual goals. We cannot guarantee that you will be matched with a mentor from a very specific job role or niche area, but we will try our best to match you with a mentor who has experience in the sectors or industries of interest to you.

By taking part in the programme, you can: 

• Develop insight into a specific industry or sector 

• Build commercial awareness and understanding of career pathways through one-to-one conversations with a professional working in an industry you would like to know more about.  

• Develop key employability skills, including professional communication and networking through working with your mentor and completing online exercises and resources.  

• Strengthen your CV by demonstrating initiative and engagement by representing the university through mentoring.

Applications open in October. Places are limited. 

Further details about how to apply and key dates will be published here when applications open. 

The programme will run from February to June.

February

February will be a busy month for Future Ready participants.

We will host a two-hour workshop which will help you to prepare for your mentoring experience, you will be introduced to your alumni mentor and have the option of a one-to-one appointment with the careers team.

During the workshop we will focus on developing professional skills and setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals (SMART) to help you get the most out of your one-to-one interactions. Attending the workshop will help you to build confidence, connect with peers and prepare you to get the most out of the mentoring relationship.

March to June

The next phase is the mentoring part of the programme. This is when you will have your one-to-one interactions with the alumni mentor. The expectation is you will meet with your mentor 1 hour a month for the duration of the programme.

During this time, you will have access to support from the Career Connections team: we are on hand to help if you have any questions or would like advice; just drop us an email we are happy to help. We will also send both you and your alumni mentor monthly emails to check-in and see how things are going.

Our alumni mentors vary in age and experience, but what they have in common is a desire to help and give back. They will help you think about your future career and build your career confidence.

The mentors have dedicated a significant amount of time and energy to supporting this programme, and your engagement is an integral part of making it a success. We expect you to make the most of the opportunity and stay actively engaged and represent the university positively. 

Through the February workshop, we will help you to identify meaningful goals for the Future Ready Mentoring programme. For example, this could be around narrowing down your career ideas, preparing for work experience or gaining an insight into the workplace.

You will then work towards these goals with the help of your alumni mentor. During your one-to-one interactions, they will listen to your goals and career aspirations, ask questions to help you think in more detail and may set bitesize tasks to help move you closer to achieving your goals.

The programme is open to undergraduate students who were in receipt of free school meals at school. There are 50 places available.

• Explore career ideas and would like to talk through options.
• You do not have to have a career in mind to apply.