Busiest year yet for Careers Mentoring

Almost 400 students benefit from the programme
Mentoring celebration
A University of Plymouth scheme that brings industry experts together with students has celebrated its busiest year yet.
The Careers Mentoring Programme supports students by shaping their professional skills, enhancing their personal brands, developing their networks, and providing invaluable insights into their chosen career paths.

What has been particularly lovely to see this year is the number of University of Plymouth alumni who have come back to help mentor students, in particular previous mentees! It feels like everything has gone full circle and seeing how previous mentees really valued the experience to come back and offer their advice and insight. We are keen to encourage students to join the mentoring programme as it can enhance academic success, foster personal and professional development, and help build a supportive community and network. Mentoring provides students with valuable guidance, industry insights, and networking opportunities, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their careers and personal lives once they leave university.

Mark BeresfordMark Beresford
Student Engagement and Careers Operations Manager

This year 372 students started the Careers Mentoring Programme which pairs students with experienced mentors who provide friendly and flexible mentoring sessions tailored to their needs.
Mentors from hundreds of different companies and professions were matched with students from a wide range of courses and disciplines.

Mentoring is an important relationship needed in the journey of managing people as a HR expert. It avails an opportunity to be encouraged and empowered by persons who have gained much experience in the field. As a masters student, I'm glad I was part of this cohort. I look forward to giving back to the system as a mentor soon.

Marian Dsadema, University of Plymouth student
Holly Atyeo and Marian Desdema
Holly Atyeo and Marian Desdema at the mentoring celebration event

If anyone is thinking about mentoring but hasn’t yet made the commitment, I would highly recommend, mentoring is valuable and rewarding. I’ve had a great experience with the University of Plymouth, they make it very accessible to be able to give your time and provide support along the way. For me personally, it is great to be able to support HR students and give something back to the area I live in. I wish I had a mentor when I was starting out in my HR career!

Holly Atyeo, HR Partner for Wellbeing, Engagement & Culture at BUPA