Testimonials
Volunteering as a career mentor offers a unique opportunity to give back, grow professionally and make a lasting difference.
To understand the impact firsthand, explore what previous mentors have said about their experience in the program.
Mentoring was an incredibly rewarding experience. It gave me the chance to share my knowledge and insights while learning from the fresh perspectives of students. Seeing their excitement and connect with the student has made a different to a normal work day, and it reminded me of the importance of giving back to the community. I highly encourage other alumni to participate—you’ll not only make a positive impact but also gain valuable connections and personal growth.
The mentoring opportunity allowed me to give back to the university. Beyond sharing my experiences with the mentee, the mentoring sessions also allowed me insights to the changing challenges and aspiration that the current students have.
It's really great to be able to give something back to the program! It's funny how quickly your mind slips back into the memories of student life, and being able to provide advise with confidence is a unique and warm feeling.
This programme has provided me with a valuable platform to engage with the next generation of architects. It has been a wonderful and enriching experience — not only to share professional insights, but also to learn from the fresh perspectives and aspirations of emerging talents. I would highly recommend this mentorship programme to fellow alumni who wish to contribute back to the architectural community in a meaningful way.
As a mentor, the UoM mentoring program is a rewarding experience, with a flexible program, useful resources, helpful staff and a wide variety of students. Over the years, I've had local, regional and international students, each with different interests that will inevitably shape their career path. Our conversations are often focussed on the less obvious career opportunities that align with their interests and strengths, as well as providing an overview of a more mainstream career journey. We may discuss the students' CV and Portfolio, and often take a look at an architects website, with a view to preparing for job applications. I encourage students to become actively involved in the profession pre-graduation, whether that be joining groups, reading journals or visiting favourite architects buildings. I find the students often have questions about what shaped the twists and turns in my own career. The meeting schedule and preparations are not onerous, and the reward of helping someone, gratifying. I highly recommend becoming a mentor.