Career mentoring programme

Career Mentoring: 6 hours of one-to-one support over 6 months.

Apply today, complete training after Easter, get matched over the summer and meet your mentor in the 2023/24 autumn term.

All levels and disciplines are welcome, but you must be registered as a student for the duration of the programme. If you are a final year undergraduate, please contact csinfo@essex.ac.uk to discuss alternative options.

Mentor Connections (Masters students only): 3 hours one-to-one over 3 months

Mentoring provides a safe space to focus on what you want from your future career. As an experienced and trusted adviser, your mentor is there to support both your personal and professional development as you plan and prepare for life after university. 

It is up to you to decide what you want from your mentoring experience; each mentoring partnership is unique. There are no right or wrong reasons to have a mentor, just opportunities for growth. Here are just some the benefits students have shared:

• Increased knowledge about a specific career or industry
• Protected time and an objective ear to listen to and discuss your hopes and fears
• Support to explore your ideas, values, and options
• Unique insight from your mentor’s shared experience
• Confidence in what you have to offer and what you can achieve
• Opportunity to develop your professional skills, network, and commercial awareness 
  

Our mentors cover a wide range of sectors, hail from a variety of backgrounds and are based in over 20 countries around the world. Many are alumni, others just want to support their local community. They each have something different to offer but all volunteer their time because they want to help, listen, share, inspire and challenge you to achieve your aspirations.

“My mentor was a perfect fit for me. She listened to what I wanted to gain from this experience, it was truly better than I could’ve ever expected.”  Former mentee

They each have something different to offer but all of them volunteer their time because they genuinely want to listen, share, inspire and challenge you to achieve your aspirations. 

To be matched with one of our amazing mentors, all you need to do is tell us in your own words how you could benefit from this unique opportunity. You can submit a 200-word written statement or a one-minute video, whichever you feel most comfortable with.

Career Mentoring (all students registered for 2023/24): Apply by 26 March 2023

Mentor Connections (Masters students only): Apply by 19 March 2023

The Career Mentoring Programme grows in popularity each year and spaces are limited, so please only apply if you can commit to the programme. A panel will review all applications after the deadline and you will be informed of the outcome via email.

Got questions? Book one of our Career Mentoring Information Sessions via CareerHub, email ementor@essex.ac.uk, or check out our online briefing video.

Once accepted onto the programme, you will need to complete essential training to identify what you want to explore with your mentor (helping us to find the best match for you). We’ll also share top tips to help you prepare and get the most out of your mentoring experience. 

As with all great opportunities, the more you give, the more you get.  Put in the effort and commitment with your mentor and you will reap the benefits.  

When your mentoring partnership comes to an end, you will be asked to reflect and feedback on your experience. You can then submit Career Mentoring towards your Big Essex Award.

The Career Programmes Team are here to support you throughout the process and are always happy to help. You can contact us any time via ementor@essex.ac.uk.