The University of Plymouth Employer Mentoring Programme

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The University of Plymouth Employer Mentoring
Programme
Kate Colechin, Tamsin Pyne, Sarah Facy
(Careers) Sarah Warn (Disability Assist Service)
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Outline

• Introduction
• What is mentoring?
• Outline of the UoP Mentoring Programme
• Benefits of mentoring
• Useful skills
• Typical questions
• Disability Disclosure
• Final questions comments

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What is mentoring?
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What is mentoring?

• Dictionary Definition
• experienced and trusted adviser
• Career or work related mentoring programmes
• Aspirational objective
• Employability objective
• (Miller, A 2002)

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What it isnt

• A forum for counselling
• A friend-friend relationship
• A tutor-student relationship
• A manager-employee relationship
• Directive
• An indefinite relationship

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Aim of the Programme

• The Employer Mentoring Programme aims to link
  disabled students to professionals who offer
  support and an insight into a specific area of
  work.

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2007-2008 Programme

• 10 students
• Variety of disciplines year groups
• Mentors
• Plymouth City Council
• University of Plymouth
• Bond Pearce
• Plymouth Music Zone
• Gard and Co.

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www.plymouth.ac.uk/careers/mentoring
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Students goals objectives

• Find out more about a particular career
• Get advice on job hunting, CVs, applying for work
  experience
• Understand more about the options after a degree
• Gain confidence
• Understand more about work

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Mentors role

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

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Practicalities

• Monthly meetings
• Discuss possibilities limitations
• Contract
• Meetings are not pre-arranged
• Students are encouraged to consider their
  objectives prepare questions
• Follow up from UoP
• Event in March/April 2009

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The Benefits of Mentoring

• Encourages self reflection
• Provides information an insight into disability
  issues
• Increases an understanding of diversity issues
• Develops coaching skills
• Refreshes own view of work
• Encourages supports a student into the
  industry/sector
• Fulfils organisations commitment to equality
  diversity
• Self-satisfaction
• Opportunity to help others

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What skills will you draw on in your mentoring
role?
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Useful Skills

• Active Listening
• Questioning
• Supporting
• Challenging
• Advising
• Communication

• Enabling
• Empowering
• Sign-posting
• Informing
• Empathy
• Understanding

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Useful Skills
Interpreting
Understanding
Listening
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Useful Skills

• Scenario
• The student comes to you with a piece of
  coursework as they would like your help. The
  topic is focussed on your particular interest
  area and you are happy to helpin fact, you
  suddenly realise that this could be a way to show
  the academics that you are suitable to be a
  visiting lecturer.
• What course of action would you take?

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Useful Skills

• Scenario
• The student turns up to your meeting in tears.
  They have just received a phone call to tell them
  of a family bereavement.
• What course of action would you take?

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10 attributes of good mentors
A. Miller (2002)

• Enthusiastic Volunteer
• Accessibility
• Sensitivity
• Self Awareness
• Discretion
• Willingness to learn
• Non-judgmental
• Patience
• Positive expectations
• Kind, tolerant and understanding

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What sort of mentor shouldnt you be?!
24/7? Open-door policy?
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What sort of mentor should you be?
Monday-Friday Work-based
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Typical Questions

• What does the training to be a solicitor
  involve?
• What is your advice for getting into this
  industry?
• How should I go about trying to find work
  experience?
• What skills do I need to be successful in this
  career?
• What do you look for in a CV?
• Can you give me some examples of interview
  questions?
• How do you think I should disclose my disability?
• How might my disability impact on my ability to
  do the job?
• What do you do in an average day?
• What is the best thing about your job?

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Disability Issues
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Further information

• Mentor Information Pack
• Useful websites resources
• Careers Service
• Tel. [phone]
• www.plymouth.ac.uk/careers
• Disability Assist Service
• Tel [phone]
• www.plymouth.ac.uk/disability

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www.plymouth.ac.uk/careers/mentoring
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Questions or Comments