1. Employer Mentoring Programme An outline of the programme

2. Details in this presentation • Aim of the programme • Benefits to students & mentors • Outline of the programme • Students’ goals & objectives • The mentor’s role • Evaluation 2007-8 Programme • Further Information

3. Aim of the Programme • To link disabled students to professionals who offer support and an insight into a specific area of work.

4. Benefits to students • Clarify your career ideas • Increase your understanding of a job role • Receive advice about getting into a career area • Help with CVs and job hunting • Feel more self-assured at work • Confidently address issues around disability and disclosure

5. Benefits to mentors • Develop your coaching skills • Refresh your own view of work • Develop undergraduates’ interest in your sector and your business • Promote your reflective learning • An opportunity to act as a positive role model • Increase awareness of diversity issues

6. Outline of the Programme • Students express an interest in taking part from April-September 2008. • In 2007, 10 students took part from different disciplines & year groups. • Local employers are approached or volunteer to take part • Induction Session (Sept/Oct ‘08) • Mentoring begins • Mentoring Event (Mar/April 2009)

7. Students’ goals & objectives • “Find out more about a particular career.” • “Get advice on job hunting, CVs and applying for work experience.” • “Understand more about the options after my degree.” • “Gain confidence.” • “Understand more about work.”

8. The Mentor’s role • Provide encouragement • Provide up to date and relevant information on the industry/area of work • Eliminate any preconceived ideas or assumptions about the industry/area of work • Contribute to the development of a student’s university experience • Act as a positive role model

9. Evaluation 2007-2008 • Students found out more about their career idea • Mentors enjoyed meeting UoP students • Students feel more confident about approaching employers

10. Evaluation 2007-2008 “I’ve gained a better awareness of the workplace and the different opportunities within Law. I’ve discovered how I could fit them around my health. My mentor was able to give me quite a significant amount of advice as his employment has been quite varied. It has been a positive experience.” Law Student

11. Evaluation 2007-2008 “Taking part in the mentoring programme has enabled me to fine tune my CV and covering letter to make them more appropriate in the IT industry. I now know more about it is like to work in the IT industry .” Computing student

12. Evaluation 2007-2008 “This has been a positive way to develop my equality and diversity knowledge compared to the standard presentation/seminar style of learning. The programme is mutually beneficial for the student and the employer.” Mentor

13. Further Information • Look at the Student Profiles on the website www.plymouth.ac.uk/careers/mentoring • For further Information please contact • Email: kate.colechin@plymouth.ac.uk, • Careers Service, Tel: 01752 232262