The University of Winchester welcomed participants in the growing Careers Professional Mentoring Programme to an on-campus connections event.
Mentors and mentees from the programme, which pairs students with industry and business professionals to help improve their employability and career readiness, gathered at the West Downs Centre.
In addition to giving them a chance to meet their new mentees, the evening gave the volunteers from the world of business a chance to network with their fellow mentors.
Dr Lesley Black, the University’s Director of Student Support and Success, welcomed attendees.
Addressing the mentors, Dr Black said: “Thank you for giving us your time – it really makes a difference to our students.”
She also thanked the University’s careers team for the care they took in matching students with appropriate mentors.
This year the programme has almost 80 final year students, from a range of courses across all faculties who have been matched with professionals from a range of sectors. Around half of the mentors are Winchester alumni.
Typical topics covered through the mentoring include networking and building connections as well as general employability topics such as CV writing, applications and preparing for interviews.
If you are interested in being a mentor for next year’s programme, the University would be delighted to hear from you. The careers team are particularly keen to receive applications from prospective mentors working in the humanities, health or creative industries. Contact mentoring.careers@winchester.ac.uk for further information.
Pictured top: Mentors, mentees and University staff at the connections event at the West Downs Centre.
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