Careers Network Mentoring Scheme

The Careers Network Mentoring Scheme connects students and recent graduates with industry professionals who volunteer their time to share their experience and knowledge to support you with achieving your career aspirations.

“Being part of the mentoring scheme has helped me immensely. The application process is short and the team did a brilliant job in matching me with the perfect mentor. My mentor works as a food technologist and I am keen to apply for roles within the field of science / food nutrition / research so I have been able to learn so much from our conversations. It was fascinating to discuss her academic and employment experience. We also discussed my experience and ideal jobs roles, as well as reviewing my CV and personal statement together - I learnt a lot of useful pointers about how to improve it. I am really grateful for this experience and would encourage anyone to apply!”

Nina, mentee in the 2024/25 Spring cohort of the Careers Network Mentoring Scheme

You can hear more stories from previous mentees about the benefits of mentoring through our bank of mentee case studies.

Each mentorship lasts up to 6 months. We typically suggest meeting once a month, either face-to-face, online or by phone, depending on your and your mentor's availability and your objectives.

Please note applications for the 2025/26 Autumn round of the Careers Network Mentoring Programme have now closed.

Applications are expected to open again ahead of the Spring round of the scheme on 12/01/2026.

What is mentoring?

“A learning relationship which helps people to take charge of their own development, to realise their potential and to achieve results which they value” – (Connor and Pokora 2007)

Through our Careers Network Mentoring Scheme you would be paired with an industry professional (a mentor) to engage in a series of conversations all focused around your career development.

The relationship is on a 1-2-1 basis and is led by you (the mentee) in terms of what areas you would like the mentoring discussions to focus on. Below are a few examples of what mentors and mentees on the scheme have previously discussed as part of their mentorship:

Routes for entering into a particular job role or industry and the skills/qualifications needed
Growing your network of industry contacts, in-person and virtually
Top tips for preparing for recruitment processes (CVs, interviews, assessment centres)
Preparing for transitioning into the workplace from university
Planning what opportunities to engage with at University to help with achieving career goals
Where to source and apply for work experience opportunities

Mentors will share their experiences and knowledge to motivate and empower you and help you to understand your aims and how you can achieve these.

The Benefits

Gain real insight into a particular job role or sector and also sectors beyond academia from an experienced professional
Discover your strengths, develop new skills and learn how to articulate these during recruitment processes
Establish a professional relationship and develop your network
Sound out your ideas with an industry professional who will give you constructive and honest feedback to help you make informed decisions
Feel encouraged and empowered about your personal development!

You can find out more about the benefits of mentoring through our bank of mentee case studies.

Our Mentors

We have hundreds of mentors who have kindly volunteered their time to support students and graduates.

They are from a wide range of sectors, job roles, backgrounds and many are UoB alumni. We have a number of mentors with postgraduate research qualifications, and a number who are experienced in hiring postgraduate researchers.

As well as having UK based mentors, we also have some who are based internationally in places such as the US, Hong Kong, India, Singapore and more.

Visit our Mentor Sectors and Job Roles page to find out more about our available mentors.

Who is eligible?

The Careers Network Mentoring Scheme is open to the following:

Undergraduate students in any year and from any degree discipline
Graduates of the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic year
Postgraduate taught students
Postgraduate researchers

For any further questions, you can contact our mentoring team via mentoring@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

How to register for the Careers Network Mentoring Scheme

Please note applications for the 2025/26 Autumn round of the Careers Network Mentoring Programme have now closed. For those that have been matched as part of the Autumn round we’ll be in touch on 31/10/2025 to confirm your mentors’ details.

To register interest in the Spring 2026 round of the Careers Network Mentoring Scheme please complete our expression of interest form and we’ll be in touch with further details when applications open again.