Mentoring

Use your expertise to inspire the industry leaders of tomorrow
Being a mentor is a great way to further your connection to the University, get some fresh perspectives from our fantastic current students and reignite the passion for your role.
Mentors offer their time and expertise to students at an earlier stage of their personal and career development. The results can be highly life-changing for a student.
These relationships often continue to develop outside of the scheme, with some students taking up internships and even graduate employment in their mentor’s workplace.
We offer a range of Mentoring Schemes that vary depending on what our students are studying. We know that the academic and career experience mentors can give our students is invaluable so we encourage you to take a look at all our mentoring opportunities to see how each scheme can benefit our students.
If you are interested in participating as a mentor, we would love to hear from you!
Complete the sign up form today or email us at fssl-pln@bristol.ac.uk.
What are the Social Science schemes?
- Economics mentoring scheme
- Business School mentoring scheme
- Education mentoring scheme
- Sociology, Politics and International Studies mentoring scheme
- Policy Studies mentoring scheme
What’s involved?
You will typically attend at least two meetings with a small group of students. Our scheme has a blended approach with meetings in person where feasible, or online. Students are typically in the 2nd year of undergraduate studies.
Many of our undergraduate students are exploring their career options and will benefit from subject-specific advice and guidance on their next steps. When there are so many options and paths available, a mentor can help them make an achievable plan, increase their professional skills and build their confidence.
Mentors have the option to set a 'mentoring challenge' as part of their meetings. This is a short piece of work or research that enhances the student experience of the scheme and develops essential skills. For mentors, the mentoring challenge presents an opportunity to gain fresh perspectives on a topic that is important to you and your organisation.
Can I be a mentor?
We are looking for mentors who:
- Have studied a Social Science degree (or have extensive relevant experience)
- Currently work within a role that utilises your degree
- Can support students to understand how their degree will help them to make an impact in the workplace
Further criteria
- Mentors can be based in the UK or internationally
- We welcome alumni of Bristol and non-alumni
- You can mentor whether early in your career or more experienced
If unsure whether you would be suitable, please email Laura Wright: fssl-pln@bristol.ac.uk.
What are the Law schemes?
- Law in Society mentoring scheme: connects students with mentors who work within non-corporate, non-commercial Law settings. For example, humanitarian causes, family law, advocacy, environmental law etc.
- Corporate & Commercial Law (international mentors) scheme: connects students with mentors who work within corporate and/or commercial Law settings outside of the UK.
What’s involved?
You will typically attend at least two meetings with a small group of students. Our scheme has a blended approach with meetings in person where feasible, or online.
The Law schemes are open to undergraduate and postgraduate Law students. Most students participating are in the 2nd year of their undergraduate degree.
Mentors have the option to set a 'mentoring challenge' as part of their meetings. This is a short piece of work or research that enhances the student experience of the scheme and develops essential skills. For mentors, the mentoring challenge presents an opportunity to gain fresh perspectives on a topic that is important to you and your organisation.
Can I be a mentor?
We are looking for mentors who:
- Have studied a Law degree (or hold another relevant Law qualification)
- Currently work within a role that utilises your Law degree
- Can support students to understand how their degree will help them to make an impact in the workplace
Further criteria:
- Mentors can be based in the UK or internationally
- We welcome alumni of Bristol and non-alumni
- You can mentor whether early in your career or more experienced
If unsure whether you would be suitable, please email Laura Wright: fssl-pln@bristol.ac.uk.
What is the Accounting scheme?
The Accounting scheme is open to students on our Undergraduate Accounting programmes as part of the Accounting in Context module that students can opt to take as part of their first year studies.
What’s involved?
You will typically attend at least two meetings with a small group of students. Our scheme has a blended approach with meetings in person where feasible, or online.
The first meeting is arranged by our team, and all mentors are invited to attend an in person evening event for an informal dinner with your mentees and an opportunity to meet University staff and other mentors. For those mentors unable to join in person we offer online alternatives. The second meeting is arranged by the students, and can either be in person or online.
If you wish, you can invite students to the workplace for the 2nd meeting to network with colleagues and learn more about your organisation and working environment.
Can I be a mentor?
We are looking for mentors who:
- Have studied a relevant degree and/or an accounting qualification
- Currently work within a role that utilises your degree/qualification
- Can support students to understand how their degree will help them to make an impact in the workplace
Further criteria:
- Mentors can be based in the UK or internationally
- We welcome alumni of Bristol and non-alumni
- You can mentor whether early in your career or more experienced
If unsure whether you would be suitable, please email Laura Wright: fssl-pln@bristol.ac.uk.