Professional Mentoring Programme

Inspire potential; awaken possibility

Apply to be a mentor
Student application

Complete the mentor application form

If you have any questions about becoming a mentor, please contact us at mentoring.careers@plymouth.ac.uk.

You can also connect with us on LinkedIn to see the latest information and mentor updates.

Apply for Professional Mentoring Programme Pathway 2.

x Round 2 of applications open now (closes 1 January 2023)

Supercharge your career with the Professional Mentoring Programme

The Professional Mentoring Programme matches students with industry professionals – mentors who give their time and knowledge to support undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Plymouth. Mentors can help students gain unique insights into their desired careers, learn about networking opportunities, increase their skills and undertake mock interviews, giving them a competitive advantage in the job market.

Our main professional mentoring programmes run over six months to make the minimum of four sessions flexible around your studies and work time. Our strands start in November and February each year and you can hold your meetings online or face-to-face.

10 years of mentoring

The University of Plymouth is entering its 10^th year of successful mentoring programmes and we want you to join us!

Whether you are a student looking for career insights or a professional wanting to give back to the next generation, these programmes are for you.

Have questions? Unsure if this is for you? Drop-ins and information sessions can be found on the appointment calendar on myCareer.

<p>Celebrating 10 years of mentoring with the Professional Mentoring Programme.<br></p>

Students – what's in it for you?

Who can apply?

Applications are open to all students in all undergraduate years. For postgraduate students the Mentoring Programme is only open to students who are studying postgraduate taught and masters courses only. Unfortunately this is not open to postgraduate research courses.

Priority matching will go to students who fall under the following groups in keeping with the University’s Widening Participation Strategic statement; care leavers, students with disabilities, mature students, black and ethnic minority students and low participation neighbourhoods to ensure we offer a full supportive package. Secondary matching will then to go all other applicants who have not been on the programme before.

<p>University of Plymouth Employability Service mentoring training 2016

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What did I gain as a student?

"This programme has been really impactful, propelling me towards achieving my career goals. I also landed a job with the help of my mentor giving me tips during my interview process."
Kehinde Ayansiji, MSc Hydrography mentee

"Sue opened so many possibilities for me and allowed me to really consider my future career. My confidence grew and I developed a strong skill set within our sessions, which I believe will be valuable in the future."
Katie Lowe, BSc Psychology mentee

"The Professional Mentoring Programme provided an unmissable experience that allowed me to gain inside knowledge into my future career path."
Makari Wilson, BSc (Hons) International Relations with Politics mentee

Mentee benefits | Professional Mentoring Programme

Find out about the benefits of joining the Professional Mentoring Programme and working with a professional in industry to explore your career goals and personal development.

Welcome to the Professional Mentoring Programme

The Professional Mentoring programme matches students with a Professional Mentor – individuals from industry, alumni, non-alumni, staff members – all giving their time and knowledge to support students both undergraduate and postgraduate at the University of Plymouth. The programme is only open to current students at the University. You must be studying throughout the entirety of the programme. Unfortunately if you apply but graduate before the programme starts you will not be accepted.

Students and Mentors work together over six months with four contact points. These contact points can be face to face, telephone calls, email conversations or via an online platform such as Skype or Microsoft Teams.

Mentors – how to apply

We are always looking for mentors from a variety of sectors and disciplines. Becoming a mentor is a great way to enhance your skills, give back to the next generation and meet like-minded professionals in your career journey.

We are happy to talk the programme through – please contact us at mentoring.careers@plymouth.ac.uk.

Complete the mentor application form

Why be a mentor?

"The experience of being a mentor is refreshing because it is something new outside of your day-to-day and exciting because you are meeting a young aspiring professional and helping them achieve their dream."
Nadine Mashingaidze, GA Solicitors

"While it's great for my own professional development, I love helping others to be the best they can be. Hearing different perspectives, challenges, ideas and opportunities is inspiring."
Ross Middleham, MET Office

"It's great to link with students from similar fields and to see where they go with their career as well as to give back to Plymouth."
AnnaMarie Farkas, Livewell Southwest

Being a Mentor | Professional Mentoring Programme

Find out about the benefits of joining the Professional Mentoring Programme and supporting one of our students in their future career.

Mentoring timelines

The Professional Mentoring Programme is running two strands in the current cycle:

Professional Mentoring Programme 1

Applications open: 1 April 2022

Applications close: 14 October 2022

Student training: 24–28 October

Mentor training: 1–2 November

Meet your mentor (in person): 14 and 17 November

Meet your mentor (online): 9–10 November

Celebration: 10 May 2023, 14:00–18:00

Professional Mentoring Programme 2

Applications open: 1 November 2022

Applications close: 1 January 2023

Student training: 23–27 January

Mentor training: 30–31 January

Meet your mentor (in person): 6–7 February

Meet your mentor (online): 8–9 February

Celebration: Date TBC

More feedback from our participants

Ivanna Odle and her mentor, Megan Pearce

"The Professional Mentoring Programme of 2020–2021 has been a life-changing experience for me. As a final year student, I thought it would be very useful to have a mentor who I could talk to about my next steps, but the experience surpassed my expectations. My mentor walked me through her personal experiences on her professional journey and provided me with practical tips and tricks she had learnt along the way."
Ivanna Odle, BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

"I first joined the programme to give back to the University and Careers Service. Each year I continue to grow in confidence delivering the mentoring sessions and understand the value I can give to my mentee. Recognising and reflecting on your own achievements and setbacks is an important part of life, and if you can share these lessons with others, you have the opportunity to guide them in the right direction or, perhaps more importantly, let them know they are not alone."
Megan Pearce, mentor with the Met Office

“What I learnt on this experience was invaluable, it made me more confident and motivated. The experience was really inspiring and seeing the reality of life in a dental setting reaffirmed my passion for my chosen career.”
Natalie Lu, Biomedical Science – Pre-Dentistry Studies student

“Natalie is a ‘do-er’, she is so independent and her confidence has grown so much through this. You can really see her passion in her work. I wish Natalie all the luck in her future degree and I have no doubt that she will excel at being a fantastic dentist.”
Dr Claudia Stanley, mentor with the Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise

Find out more about Natalie's mentoring experience