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Aston University Professional Mentoring Scheme - information for mentors

Click here if you are a second year student interested in applying to the scheme.

Would you like to share your experience with students and assist them in achieving their goals?                                       

By matching second year undergraduate students to business professionals, the Aston University Professional Mentoring Scheme aims to help students gain insights into professional life, and to assist them in making their career choices. It also aims to support business professionals in their own development and to provide a platform in developing their network. 

Mentors and mentees from the cohort of 2011-2012 talk about their experience on the Aston University Professional Mentoring Scheme.

What does being a mentor involve?

As a mentor you will apply your knowledge, experience and skills to develop the personal and professional growth of a student (mentee).

What is the commitment of a mentor?

As a mentor, you will interact with your mentee at least one hour per month via face-to-face, telephone, email, Skype or other social media channels from November to May. 

Current status of the scheme:

We are currently welcoming business professionals who have at least four years of work experience to join as mentors. 

There will be two sessions for mentors to meet mentees, as well as a briefing session:

  • Thursday 1st November, 6-8.30pm, Conference Room 1, Aston Business School.
  • Thursday 8th November, 6-8.30pm, Suite 5/6, Lakeside Conference Centre, Aston University.

 

If you are interested to participate but you cannot make it to either of these sessions, please contact Nathalie Lam to arrange a separate appointment.

Benefits to you:

mentors
A selection of some of our mentors from the briefing session in November 2011.
  • Broaden your professional network by meeting mentors from other organisations.
  • Satisfaction of helping others to develop.
  • Develop your interpersonal and mentoring skills.

Benefits for your organisation:

Raise your business’s profile on Aston University's campus.
  • Training and development opportunities for your employees.
  • Promote Corporate Social Responsibility activities within your organisation.
  • Spot talent for your organisation.
  • Strengthen your links with Aston University.
  • Broaden your professional network by meeting mentors from other organisations.
  • Satisfaction of helping others to develop.
  • Develop your interpersonal and mentoring skills.

Highlights from the 2011-2012 Cohort:


"Psychology of Success with Steve Cram MBE" , supported by Yorkshire Bank.

"End of Professional Mentoring Celebration Event" 

What do mentors think of their experience?

“I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the Aston Professional Mentoring Scheme. I feel I have really made a difference to my mentee by providing guidance to help her find her placement, which she starts in July. ” 

Hayley Crawford, Bristan Group.

" I greatly enjoyed Aston Professional Mentoring Scheme and it has helped me focus a little more on some of the younger members of my work team." Mark Johnson, MES Environmental Ltd. 

"I absolutely recommend others to join the Aston Professional Mentoring Scheme. It had been very fun, as well as to the additional work on top of the very busy day job, but I have put my name down for next year, so it cannot be that bad!" James Morrison, BMW Group UK.

 "My experience of being a mentor last year was on the whole very positive.  My mentee was professional and seemed very grateful for the input I gave to him. Being a mentor also provides a useful way to keep in touch with some of the issues facing students of today. " Rob Walker, Lloyds Banking Group.

“The benefits include improving my people development skills, self-reflection on my own role and personal satisfaction in helping somebody else achieve” Faz Asif, Capgemini.

“I have found mentoring a student very rewarding!”  James Williams, Birmingham City Council.

“I am thoroughly enjoying my experience of mentoring students and it is very rewarding. Their approach and enthusiasm is extremely refreshing.” Thomas Barnett, TUI Travel plc.

How to apply:

If you are interested in joining the scheme please contact Nathalie Lam on n.lam1@aston.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 121 204 3339.

Further Information

Download the Aston Professional Mentoring leaflet 

Download Mentor’s role description