Department of Computer Science - Alumni Mentoring Scheme

Department of Computer Science

Alumni Mentoring Scheme

“

Mentoring is one of the best methods to enhance individuals’ learning and development in all walks of life.”

Klasen & Clutterbuck,

Implementing Mentoring Schemes; A practical guide to successful programmes,2002

Aims and Objectives

Mentoring is an opportunity to receive one to one advice and guidance from a professional working in your chosen sector. A Mentor shares their knowledge, skills and experience to help you progress in your career.

It is about more than giving advice, it’s about motivating, empowering and helping you to understand yourself and your aims – and how you can get there.

Benefits for Student Mentees: - One to one support - Network and build industry contacts - Gain an insight into your chosen career - Develop your skills and areas for further development - Practical advice on job search techniques and skills Benefits for Alumni Mentors: - A chance to develop a new skill for your CV - Knowledge that you have given a student increased knowledge, skills and experience - Build your networks and contacts outside of the current workplace environment - An understanding of the challenges facing students coming into the graduate workplace

Basis of a good mentoring relationship

We want you to get the most your mentoring experience. It’s essential that Mentors and Mentees understand what makes an effective mentoring partnership.

For the mentoring relationship to work effectively, Alumni Mentors/Student Mentees need to: -

Discuss and agree boundaries Agree and commit to timescales/involvement Give constructive feedback Set realistic objectives/goals Listen and be honest Respect confidentiality Follow through on any agreed actions in a timely manner

What to expect How often should we meet?

Mentors and Mentees are expected to maintain regular contact for the duration of the mentoring relationship. Ideally, Mentors and Mentees should meet up several times during the partnership. Face-to-face meetings are encouraged every 6-8 weeks, although the number of meetings will vary depending on Mentees/Mentors commitments.

We recognise that it isn’t always possible to meet face-to-face. Due to this, we recommend that you use Skype and email wherever possible.

The duration/dates should be agreed between the Mentor and Mentee.

However, this is a guide only as it will also depend your agreed agenda.

If you feel that your meeting will only cover a few points consider using Skype/email instead.

Where should we meet?

All face-to-face meetings should be arranged either at the University or at the Mentor’s place of work. Mentees/Mentors are advised to avoid arranging meetings at either the Mentor’s or the Mentee’s home.

Establishing initial ground rules is a helpful approach to initiating the mentoring relationship; including the usual conversations of agreeing confidentiality, mutually convenient times for regular meetings and interim telephone calls, Skype and email.

Out of courtesy it is important to give as much notice if you need to re-arrange meetings.

Your first session

Things you may want to cover during your first session:

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Discuss the objectives of your partnership Discuss confidentiality Agree how you’ll contact each other: telephone, email, face-to-face and how often Discuss the best days and times for you and your Mentor to talk and how long each interaction will take Agree a time frame for the partnership and agree that you’ll assess at the end whether it will be beneficial to continue or end the partnership t that point

“

Everyone needs a coach. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a basketball player, a tennis player, a gymnast or a bridge player.”

Bill Gates

“

Mentoring is the missing link between a promising business person and successful business person, and it should be embedded within UK businesses.�

Sir Richard Branson

Setting objectives

The discussion topics of your meetings will depend on your objectives and your Mentor’s experience and areas of expertise. Mentees objective setting is an essential part of mentoring. Before your initial meeting, Mentees should consider the objectives and topics they would like to cover. It’s important to think about short/long term objectives but bear in mind that these can be flexible as during your mentoring relationship objectives may change.

Mentees should make a list of objectives before the first session to get the mentoring relationship off to a good start.

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Finding a placement/graduate opportunity Recruitment preparation – CV, Interview techniques, Assessment Centres Research for academic projects/dissertation Reflective learning – gaining an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses Understanding and setting an action plan of how to achieve your career goals Networking in an industry Development of personal skills and abilities

Possible objectives:

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When?

Our first mentoring partnerships will be paired during Jan/Feb 2017 with the mentoring relationships starting in March 2017.

How to apply

Students: You are eligible if you are: -

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Currently in your final year of study – Studying within the Computer Science Department Willing to commit from March – June (in line with the guidance above)

To register your interest please email helen.walters@edgehill.ac.uk Become an Alumni Mentor: You are eligible if you: -

Are a graduate of Edge Hill University Graduated University three or more years ago Are willing to give back up to two hours of your time per month

Apply by signing up to edgehillconnect.co.uk and selecting Willing to be a mentor. Email alumni@edgehill.ac.uk or telephone 01695 654 371 for further details.

The fun doesn’t have to end when you graduate. As a member of our alumni community you can still be part of University life and access a wide range of benefits and services to help you plan your career, undertake further study or keep in touch with us and each other.

Free online journal access Free access to online journals plus use of our libraries and study facilities.

Postgraduate fee reduction Save 20 per cent on tuition fees for a range of postgraduate programmes.

Sports Centre membership reduction Graduates qualify for the Corporate rate at the new Sports Centre which includes access to the fitness suite, swimming pool and sessions in the Get Active programme.

Alumni Catch-Up Day See the latest developments on campus and re-live your student days.

Campus events Career fairs, workshops, networking events and academic conferences – as well as many opportunities for Continuing Professional Development.

Keeping in touch Regular e-newsletters and Alumni magazine (online and hard copy) to keep you up to date with what’s going on at Edge Hill.

Visit edgehill.ac.uk/alumni for more details.

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edgehill.ac.uk/alumni

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twitter.com/edgehill

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Alumni Team Edge Hill University St Helens Road, Ormskirk, L39 4QP t: 01695 654 371 e: alumni@edgehill.ac.uk