The School is delighted that its mentor scheme continues to flourish, connecting more students each year with industry professionals. The School of History, Classics and Archaeology’s bespoke mentoring programme was first launched in 2016 with the aim to partner 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate students with graduate professionals who understand the challenges of the labour market and can offer advice and their own personal experiences. Since its inception, the programme has experienced sustained growth and popularity. Now in its fourth year, the School is delighted to have facilitated 54 successful pairings. This year is different from others because there’s more mentees, more mentors, and a whole new area of experience opening up for mentees. What's in it for students? The main benefit of the mentoring scheme is it gives students access to a mentor for a number of months over the course of the academic year, and allows them to discuss their future career options. Mentors offer suggestions on how mentees can improve skills and make the most of the university experience. Overall the scheme enables students to engage with others, gain confidence, and establish early thoughts on possible career paths and goals. Having the space and freedom to talk about my career aspirations with an alumna in my field of interest has made the job-hunting process seem so much less impossible. I have loved being a participant of the History mentoring project because it has hugely boosted my career confidence and given me the patience to take each career step as it. History Student and Mentoring Participant What's in it for mentors? Feedback from mentors is as varied as the people who took part. For some it is a practical way of 'giving back' to the University or current students, for others an opportunity to get an insight into the mindset of soon-to-be graduates. I was in a very similar position to the young women I mentored when I was at Uni. My parents didn't go to Uni and their jobs were admin/construction - I always felt that I didn't really know what jobs were out there, because I wasn't exposed to graduate level jobs growing up... I think it's so important, and especially for those students who are first generation to attend Uni, to have contact with workplaces and know how their skills and degrees can be used within the workplace. Mentor, 2019/20 Get involved Applications for for the 2020/21 Student Mentoring Scheme have now closed but wil reopen in Septmeber 2022. Students can find more information and how to apply at the link below. SHCA Student Mentoring Programme If you are a School alumnus who would like offer mentoring as part of the programme please contact hca-mentoring@ed.ac.uk Further information Careers Service at the University of Edinburgh Alumni Services at the University of Edinburgh This article was published on 2024-08-01
