Mentoring at Nottingham
Learn from someone who's been in your shoes
Our mentoring programmes give you the opportunity to learn from a Nottingham graduate or professional who has been in your position through a series of one-to-one conversations over four months.
We’ll match you with a mentor who can share their experiences, answer your questions and help you explore topics that matter to you. We'll support you throughout the programme so you can make the most of your experience.
Not sure mentoring is for you?
Nervous about talking to someone you don't know? That's completely normal.
Your mentor isn't expecting you to have everything figured out. They're volunteering their time because they want to support you and share what they've learned along the way.
Attend a drop-in to speak to one of our advisers about whether the programme is right for you.
The Future Ready programme has been transformative for my self-confidence and professional development. [I would recommend the programme to any student needing clarity or guidance on how to navigate the world of work.]
Which of our two programmes is right for you?
Career Insight Mentoring (open to all) - Apply now
November to March
Interested in a particular job, industry or area of work, but not sure what it's really like? This programme is for you.
Over four months, you'll have four one-hour conversations with your mentor, giving you the chance to ask questions, hear about their experiences and gain a better understanding of the sector. You don't need a fixed career plan to take part.
This could be the programme for you if:
Our mentors come from a wide range of sectors and career backgrounds, giving you the chance to hear from people working in different roles and industries. Areas represented include:
- Business, finance and consulting
- Marketing, communications and creative industries
- Technology, data and digital careers, including AI
- Engineering, manufacturing and construction
- Healthcare, psychology and life sciences
- Law, public services and the charity sector
- Education and research
- Sustainability, environmental and international careers
- And many more
Our mentors have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, so there's plenty of opportunity to learn from someone whose career journey interests you.
Future Ready Mentoring (see below for eligibility criteria) - Applications open end of January
February to June
Future Ready combines one-to-one mentoring with activities designed to help you prepare for next steps with confidence after leaving university.
You’ll have opportunities to learn alongside other students and we will help you make the most of the programme.
Over four months, you'll work with a Nottingham graduate mentor while taking part in activities designed to help you reflect on your strengths, build confidence and prepare for life after university.
You'll also have opportunities to learn alongside other students on the programme and access additional support throughout your mentoring journey.
This programme is open to undergraduate students who were eligible for free school meals at school.
What does mentoring involve?
Whichever programme you choose, you'll be matched with a mentor and join them online for a one-hour conversation each month throughout the programme.
Mentoring is about conversation, reflection and learning from someone else’s experience. These conversations will be shaped around the questions topics and ideas that matter most to you, to help you feel more informed and confident about your next steps.
My alumni mentor was a consultant in a tech company, so talking to him really helped me make my decision on whether or not I wanted to be a consultant. He recommended some useful tools to help with networking.