ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳

My experience with the mentoring program has been very beneficial. My mentor provided invaluable insights into the civil service, offering practical advice on navigating my career path. The mentorship program was an enriching experience that I would recommend to other students.

The Alumni Mentoring Programme proved to be a transformative experience for me during my second year of university where I had no clear career goals. Having a mentor who shared a background in Social Policy at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ was invaluable, as it provided me with unique insights into the diverse career paths available, such as consulting. Through this programme, I gained a wealth of information and first-hand experiences from my mentor, equipping me with the necessary tools to make informed decisions about my future. My mentor's guidance and expertise have not only expanded my horizons but also instilled in me the confidence to navigate the consulting industry successfully. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in the programme and for the support that has shaped my understanding and opened doors to exciting possibilities. 

Going into my final year at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳, I was unsure of what laid ahead of me. The Alumni Mentoring Programme gave me the opportunity to seek advice from someone who had been in my shoes a few years earlier in a constructive and candid way. As my mentor was abroad, we held three Skype sessions where we discussed my goals, how to build good habits, and career-specific knowledge. Throughout the experience, my mentor was very friendly and fully engaged with my queries. I felt comfortable enough to ask even the ‘silly’ questions. For me, the best thing I took from these calls was the actionable instructions I gleaned from our conversations. They helped me develop a good plan of action to make the most of my last year at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and set me up for post-university life. Thanks to my mentor, I have been able to secure an internship with the Cabinet Office this summer and a full-time offer from McKinsey for next year. I found this Programme to be invaluable. 

The Alumni Mentoring Programme has been really useful for me, especially being in 3rd year and still not having a clear idea of what I wanted to do after university. Having a mentor who has studied in the same university and same department as me was extremely helpful as it allowed me to see and ask about the different careers that are out there for people that have studied Social Policy, like social research. I’m really glad that I joined the programme, as I now have more information and insight into first-hand experiences in the career world.

As an ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Alumni Mentoring Programme mentor, I've been able to give back by supporting diverse students. It's been rewarding to guide students through challenges like neurodivergence and cultural shock. Drawing from my own culturally diverse background, I feel like I contribute by showing that there's indeed a light at the end of the tunnel. The program is quite well-organized and is far from a hurdle on my day-to-day – instead, it reenergizes me. I feel proud to be able to contribute to such an inclusive initiative.

I feel very fortunate being able to participate in the Alumni Mentoring Programme. As a mentor I am getting to know some fantastic students, while also being able to share advice and tips on how to approach next steps in my mentees’ careers - whether it is reviewing applications, discussing potential internship opportunities or sharing my own experiences after graduating from the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳. More general, it is a way for me to give back to a school that has supported my own career development greatly at the time. 

Participating in the Alumni Mentoring Program has helped me stay connected to the Department of Social Policy after graduating from ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳. I greatly enjoy learning about the different experiences and interests of current students, and sharing my perspective on topics like navigating the job search, networking in a virtual environment, editing CVs and resumes, and preparing for interviews. The Social Policy Department did a great job of matching me with mentees who were interested in working in a similar sector as me, so I felt like I was able to provide concrete, actionable advice to mentees based on my own experience. Throughout participating in this program, I have been impressed with the students' level of preparation for our meetings, and we typically agree on topics in advance so we can both prepare for the next session. For a small commitment of my time, I think (and hope) I have been able to help current undergraduate students prepare for their professional careers after ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳.