Mentoring and Insight Talks
Use your expertise to inspire the industry leaders of tomorrow
Mentoring
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! Email us at fssl-pln@bristol.ac.uk.
Support undergraduate Social Science students
What are the Social Science schemes?
- Economics mentoring scheme
- Management 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).
Support Law students
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).
Support Accounting and Finance students
What is the Accounting and Finance scheme?
The A&F scheme is embedded within the 1st year of the BSc Accounting and Finance programme. Students are enrolled on the scheme as part of their 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.
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).
I took part as a mentor as I gained a lot from my time at Bristol and I wanted to take the opportunity to give something back. It was great to find out that things I have learned were useful and interesting to my mentees and it helped me to think about my career and what I enjoy whilst I discussed it with others. I would definitely recommend taking part as a mentor; for a relatively small amount of effort, you can make a big difference for some current students.
The time spent with my mentees was very beneficial as it gave me an outlet to share the knowledge and experience I gained thus far and presented me with an opportunity to consider different perspectives. It is also very satisfying to hear about how they found our discussions and the Mentoring Challenge useful for them, which made the time spent on the scheme that much more worthwhile.
PLN Talks and Events
On occasion the Professional Liaison Network hosts insight talks for students within the faculty that focus on key issues within industry.
If you would like to volunteer your time and expertise as part of a panel for future events, please contact fssl-pln@bristol.ac.uk.