The University of Aberdeen Career Mentoring Programme is a rewarding opportunity to be matched with an experienced professional to gain one-to-one employability advice, support and guidance in a specific profession and/or sector.
Why take part?
As a mentee you’ll experience a wide range of benefits as a result of your mentoring partnership which could make a big difference to your life and your future career prospects.
Taking part in the Career Mentoring Programme will allow you to:
- Explore a particular profession or employment area
- Develop work-related skills and confidence
- Connect with a relevant professional to build effective career networks.
Successful participation in the Career Mentoring Programme can be recorded on your MySkills portfolio, a place where students can record and reflect on their activities, evidencing their progress and experiences during their time at the University.
"Getting into the Career Mentoring Programme was a gift to me. The insights I gained into my chosen field in engineering, working as an international and professional development have been unmatched to this day. If you are looking for something extra to give you the edge in your career development, I would highly recommend you join the Programme"
Edifon Udoh, MSc Subsea Engineering
What’s involved?
The Career Mentoring Programme involves matching students with a suitable volunteer mentor in a relevant career area for a 3-month partnership.
If matched on the programme, it is your responsibility to:
- Commit to a minimum of 1-2 hours per month during the 3-month programme. We recommend a minimum of three meetings, approximately one per month.
- Register an account with SUMAC, the mentoring software platform.
- Communicate with your mentor in the agreed manner (e.g SUMAC, MS Teams, Zoom or email).
- Take the lead in arranging, keeping track of and recording interactions with your mentor.
- Be open to ideas and feedback and be motivated to improve your prospects and employability.
- Provide feedback to the Careers and Employability Service about the programme.
Prior to joining the mentoring programme you will be asked to complete an online information course (20-30 mins) providing more details on what will be involved and to understand the scheme and expectations. On completion of this, you will be able to access the application link.
The programme does not guarantee a work placement or future graduate employment.
Who is eligible to take part?
Undergraduate students from level 2 and above and postgraduate students from both the Aberdeen and Qatar campuses can participate. All participants must be over the age of 18 when the partnership commences.
When will the programme run?
In session 24/25, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from Monday 4th November for all students (except medical students). If your application is accepted and we can match you with a mentor, you will commence your three-month partnership at this point.
A separate MBChB programme will run in 2025 for medical students.
The final deadline for applications is May 2025.
How do I apply?
To apply, you will need to complete an online information course (20-30 mins) and an application form.
Access the online information course at: https://bit.ly/40rCNwA
Further information
For further information about the Career Mentoring programme, have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions below. If you still have questions, please email mentor@abdn.ac.uk.
We also have a range of resources to support mentors and mentees on the programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does the programme run and who is eligible to apply?
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In session 24/25, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from Monday 4th November for all students (except medical students). If your application is accepted and we can match you with a mentor, you will commence your three-month partnership at this point.
A separate MBChB programme will run in 2025 for medical students.
The final deadline for applications is May 2025.
Undergraduate students from level 2 and above and postgraduate students from both the Aberdeen and Qatar campuses can participate. All participants must be over the age of 18 when the partnership commences.
- What does the programme involve?
-
The Career Mentoring Programme involves matching students with a suitable volunteer mentor in a relevant career area.
If matched on the programme, it is your responsibility to:
- Commit to a minimum of 1-2 hours per month during the 3-month programme. We recommend a minimum of three meetings, approximately one per month.
- Register an account with SUMAC, the mentoring software platform.
- Communicate with your mentor in the agreed manner (e.g SUMAC, MS Teams, Zoom or email).
- Take the lead in arranging, keeping track of and recording interactions with your mentor.
- Be open to ideas and feedback and be motivated to improve your prospects and employability.
- Provide feedback to the Careers and Employability Service about the programme.
Prior to joining the mentoring programme you will be asked to complete an online information course (20-30 mins) providing more details on what will be involved and to understand the scheme and expectations. On completion of this, you will be able to access the application link.
The programme does not guarantee a work placement or future graduate employment.
- Who are the mentors?
-
Mentors are experienced professionals (alumni of the University and non-alumni) who have volunteered to provide one-to-one employability advice and support to a University of Aberdeen student for the duration of the scheme. Mentors represent a wide range of professions and employment sectors.
- Where are the mentors based?
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For most Aberdeen based students mentors will be in the UK (though some may be located internationally). For students in Doha, mentors will mainly be in Qatar or in the UK. Watch out for the location to see if there is a time zone difference and arrange your contact time appropriately.
- How long does the Career Mentoring Programme last?
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The career mentoring partnership should last up to three months and we recommend a minimum of three meetings, approximately one per month. You will dedicate a short period of time prior to this to undertake the online information course.
- What is the application process?
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Students will complete an online information course, and following this will be invited to apply to join the mentoring programme through our specialised software, SUMAC.
- How are students matched to mentors?
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Students are matched to a mentor based on the sector areas they are interested in and the skills they are keen to develop.
- How much time would I spend taking part in the programme?
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You should set aside approximately 1-2 hours a month to take part in the programme. Try not to let time pass with no contact at all. The more time you put in, the more you will get out of the programme.
- I am nervous about meeting/contacting my mentor for the first time, what should I do?
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It is understandable that you could be nervous when first contacting your mentor or when meeting them in person for the first time. Remember, you mentor is interested in helping you with your career aspirations, so please relax and remember your mentor was once a student too! Please also remain polite and thank your mentor for any help.
We have a range of resources to support mentors and mentees on the programme, including sample meeting agendas.
Please contact a member of the team if you have any questions or require further support at mentor@abdn.ac.uk.
- Do mentors have placements or graduate jobs available as part of the programme?
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No! The programme does not guarantee a work placement or future graduate employment. The programme is not a job referral network.
- Can I take part in the programme more than once?
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No. Due to the competitive nature of the programme, you can only take part once.
- I haven’t heard from my mentor for weeks, what should I do?
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By signing up to this scheme, mentors agreed to maintain contact with their mentee throughout the duration of the scheme. The level of contact expected is a minimum of at least once per month. Please be patient with your mentor as there will be periods when they are very busy or could be on holiday. However, mentors should inform you when these busy periods are coming up, just as you the mentee should also inform your mentor of when you will be unavailable (e.g. holiday or exam periods).
If you have not heard from your mentor in a long time (more than 4 weeks), please contact a member of the team at mentor@abdn.ac.uk.