First year students from across the University recently celebrated their success after completing the 2018 IBM Mentoring Scheme. Now in its fifth year, the scheme run in conjunction with IBM North Harbour, is aimed at improving students’ employability skills by developing confidence and knowledge of the working world.
Mentees learn to set the agenda for meetings, work on their CVs, practise interview skills, set goals and build a working relationship with their mentor. The scheme also gives students the unique opportunity to visit the IBM Head Office in North Harbour Portsmouth and gain a first-hand insight into professional life. Students taking part in the scheme fed back:
“It really increased my confidence and really helped me in thinking about future career paths.”
“I had a great relationship with my mentor, she helped me through a lot more than just thinking about my future employment.”
“My Mentor questioned me to push me in the right direction concerning future career paths.”
Ali Slater, North Harbour Community Programme Manager said: “IBM is proud to be working in partnership with the University of Portsmouth on the IBM/UoP Mentoring Programme. We have been working on this joint employability initiative together for the last 5 years. The scheme aims to give students an opportunity to be mentored one to one with an IBM Volunteer Mentor over a period of 5 months.
"It enables mentees to gain an understanding of the world of work by coming to the IBM offices at Lakeside North Harbour. Mentees gain skills in time management, communication skills, planning meetings and agendas and many more skills. It encourages exploring career goals and plans to achieve this, mini interviews to find out about different roles and builds confidence and self awareness.
"IBM mentors are mainly Industrial Placement students, who have the opportunity to enhance their own skills, experience and thereby enhance their professional development and sense of fulfilment. It gives the chance to support and work with others by contributing to the development of another person.
"In a recent survey of the 2018 Mentors, they mentioned developing skills such as listening, sharing, guiding, planning and encouraging their mentees. One mentor commented: ‘It is a really worthwhile and enjoyable experience and you’ll be surprised how much you learn about yourself as well as how much the experience is valued by the mentee.”
Mentees learn to set the agenda for meetings, work on their CVs, practise interview skills, set goals and build a working relationship with their mentor. The scheme also gives students the unique opportunity to visit the IBM Head Office in North Harbour Portsmouth and gain a first-hand insight into professional life. Students taking part in the scheme fed back:
“It really increased my confidence and really helped me in thinking about future career paths.”
“I had a great relationship with my mentor, she helped me through a lot more than just thinking about my future employment.”
“My Mentor questioned me to push me in the right direction concerning future career paths.”
Ali Slater, North Harbour Community Programme Manager said: “IBM is proud to be working in partnership with the University of Portsmouth on the IBM/UoP Mentoring Programme. We have been working on this joint employability initiative together for the last 5 years. The scheme aims to give students an opportunity to be mentored one to one with an IBM Volunteer Mentor over a period of 5 months.
"It enables mentees to gain an understanding of the world of work by coming to the IBM offices at Lakeside North Harbour. Mentees gain skills in time management, communication skills, planning meetings and agendas and many more skills. It encourages exploring career goals and plans to achieve this, mini interviews to find out about different roles and builds confidence and self awareness.
"IBM mentors are mainly Industrial Placement students, who have the opportunity to enhance their own skills, experience and thereby enhance their professional development and sense of fulfilment. It gives the chance to support and work with others by contributing to the development of another person.
"In a recent survey of the 2018 Mentors, they mentioned developing skills such as listening, sharing, guiding, planning and encouraging their mentees. One mentor commented: ‘It is a really worthwhile and enjoyable experience and you’ll be surprised how much you learn about yourself as well as how much the experience is valued by the mentee.”