Mentor a student
Mentor a student from an under-represented group through the Bristol Mentors programme. You'll provide career-focused support to help a student achieve their potential. Find out how to become a Bristol Mentor below.
What Bristol Mentors do
The role of a Bristol Mentor is to:
- give guidance and advice to support students
- help students set goals and identify opportunities
- give insight into industries that interest students
- prepare students for the world of work by helping them develop key skills
- build students’ confidence as they prepare to take their next steps
- guide students through the transition from university to work.
Our mentors make a real difference to the students they support. Watch this video to see how mentoring makes a difference.
Why become a mentor?
What makes Bristol Mentors unique for students is you - our alumni. As alumni, you know what it's like to be both a student and a graduate of Bristol and have valuable insight into both the challenges and opportunities students may encounter as they consider their progression. You can make a real difference to these students whilst also developing your skills and reconnecting with the University.
What makes a good mentor?
We need mentors with different experiences, and from a range of subjects, disciplines, and careers.
As a Bristol Mentor you will be:
- empathetic and a good listener
- able to ask questions and share ideas effectively
- willing to share your experience and give insight into your work and your journey
- available to work with a student mentee for 1-2 hours a month.
Read more about the programme and who we're looking for.
We will support new mentors with online training and guidance throughout the programme. If you'd like to know more about what's involved contact Sophie Davison, Engagement Officer.
Apply to be a Bristol Mentor
If you meet the criteria outlined in the role description, we'd love to receive your application to take part in the programme.
Successful applicants who join the Bristol Mentors programme are then eligible to be matched with a student. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee every applicant will be matched, as our matching process is guided by the professional interests and ambitions of our student mentee cohort.
We run additional activities for our student community such as; speaker and panel events, career blogs and networking opportunities. Alumni volunteers play a key role in providing crucial working world insight, so even if you are not matched you’ll still be able to get involved in supporting students on the programme.
It’s fantastic to feel you have helped give someone the confidence to reach for their goals.
Apply to become a Bristol Mentor
If you have any questions, please email sophie.davison@bristol.ac.uk
I love being a mentor. It’s so rewarding to see people progress and evolve and I love staying connected to Bristol. When sharing insights or advice, I can apply it to my own life as well.