Carol Ann Harrower, HR Officer at Sistema Scotland
“I didn’t hesitate to get involved, because I myself had a mentor recently and I know first-hand what the benefits are. I wanted to share my experience and knowledge with someone who was just leaving University, and that has never been more important due to the situation we find ourselves in right now with COVID-19.”
David Barrett, Head of Financial Crime and Credit Risk Operations at FIS Global
“In my time, I have mentored a mixture of school leavers, graduates, postgraduates, colleagues and peers and this one with Anna is right up there as one of the best. It’s always important that people enter into these things with the right level of commitment and not just make it a tick-box exercise. Even if you’re unsure what you want out of it at the outset, be committed and spend the right level of energy at time at it. Anna did just that and the reward for me was seeing someone smart, ambitious, resilient, open-minded and flexible achieving something that she could not have quite envisaged at the beginning. I’m looking forward to doing it all again.”
Mairi-Claire Cushley, Senior Director at Ralph Lauren
“It was wonderful to meet Satwika and very rewarding to hear how new graduates are developing and planning their futures. Satwika’s new role is testament to her skills, talent and positive outlook in these challenging times. It is very rewarding to meet recent graduates and new talent entering the workplace and to reconnect with the University. I have to say the match with particular students had been very carefully considered by the University to facilitate the programme, even in terms of time zones.”
Mark O'Hagan, Director at P3OD
“It was a really exciting opportunity. My mentee was travelling across Africa at the time so we had to work through time differences, weather events and internet stability. Even so, we were able to hold purposeful mentoring sessions. This ultimately resulted in my mentee securing a new job – a significant step towards their longer-term career ambitions. It is a privilege to build a meaningful relationship with your mentee, to support them and learn about the amazing progress they have made.”
Satwika Sabal, MBA Luxury Brand Management
“I would love to specifically emphasize how amazing my mentor has been. Thank you for this opportunity to get in touch with her. The interactions and her suggestions have helped me a lot and provided encouragement. If there is some kind of recognition for an alumnus, I strongly recommend her. Also, congratulations on pulling off this brilliant idea of career mentoring. It was much needed in today's unprecedented times."
Shanine Smith, BSc Food Bioscience
"Mentors can help with areas you wouldn't expect, and this is an invaluable opportunity you shouldn't pass up. I learned lots about myself, developed confidence and developed a good rapport with a reliable, experienced professional who understood my fears and concerns. I genuinely looked forward to my monthly meetings, even if it was just for a chat!"
Hazel McHarg, BA (Hons) Business Management
"I think this is a great scheme to run and as I have now progressed in my career and made an assistant team leader after four months of employment. I would like to help someone else in the future and take part in the scheme as a mentor."
The GCU mentoring team is always here for you at any time to answer any questions you may have or anything you would like to discuss.
Whether you are a mentor or mentee, or just interested and would like to know more, please contact our team at careermentoring@gcu.ac.uk. We are happy to chat with you by phone or email to suit your needs.
