Employer Mentoring at Edinburgh Napier University

Claire Bee

Towards a Confident FutureTowards a Confident Future

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o Three year Big Lottery funded project o Supporting Scottish domiciled students

through challenging transitionso Specifically aims to bridge the gap in

employability outcomes for non-traditional students in 3rd & 4th year

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Employer Mentoring Programme Aims

• To improve the employability of our students and encourage them to gain graduate level employment

• To help students build confidence in applying for jobs and develop interview skills

• To give undergraduates an insight into a particular industry

• To offer a developmental opportunity to mentors

• For Edinburgh Napier University to build links with graduate employers

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Conscious employability

Personal effectiveness & self

efficacy

Intra-& entrepreneurship

Ethical, Social & Professional

Understanding

Intellectual curiosity

& autonomy

Evaluation

Currently in Year Two of Three Year Programme. Target to train 60 mentors per annum = target

surpassed in Years One and Two. Programme of evaluation built in to the project. Emerging data from Year 1 and 2 of the programme. Outcome data via Destinations of Leavers from

Higher Education (DLHE) Survey, student outcome records

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Overall Satisfaction – Year One

What have you gained from having an employer mentor?

We discussed the areas surrounding how to apply for a job then once you have applied the steps to follow until you reach the interview stage.

I went in with a wide perspective of what I wanted to do. My mentor helped me to narrow that and focus on things more clearly.

• General insight and guidance• Meeting someone outwith the

University• Confidence gained from

participation• Sector insight and guidance from

someone with specific industry knowledge and experience

• First hand experience of the workplace

• Meeting others/networking and learning about their experience and advice

Mentee self-assessment ratings

Pre and post-programme self-assessment ratings (Year 1)

skills/attributes relevant to gaining graduate

employment 12%

confidence with job application process 40%

knowledge/awareness of graduate job opportunities

48%

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What did you discuss with your mentor/mentee?

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• Resourcing • Evidencing

•Non-completion

•Reaching potential beneficiaries

•Supply & demand•Meeting

eligibility criteria

• Matching process

Challenges?

I enjoyed the complete experience of being

involved with the Employer Mentoring Programme, this

enabled me to develop myself along with the

mentee which was rewarding.

Great programme. I hope that it continues to be

successful. I would hope that every student at some point in their

education can benefit from industry exposure.

Good news stories! So far in 2010/11...

oTwo mentees from last year who have secured employment commented on how they felt the Employer Mentoring Programme really helped them at their interview by talking about the experience.

oOne mentor indicated he is so impressed with his mentee he is trying to find funding to employ him on a project over the summer.

oOne mentee has been offered an internship with her mentor’s company.

oOne mentee has been offered a 3 week trial at an advertising company in May. The interview was arranged through her mentor.

Discussion 1

What activities or projects do you currently run that are addressing similar aims and outcomes to those of Employer

Mentoring?

To what extent do you think something like Employer Mentoring would be desirable within your Institution’s

employability strategies?

What plans do you have for future developments with similar aims and outcomes?

What might you like (wish list) to develop in the future?

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Discussion 2

If you wanted to implement something similar what kind of barriers would you anticipate?

What have you learned from overcoming difficulties in implementation in the past?

So what ideas do you have for addressing barriers as we move forward?

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Thank you

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