Promentor Programme Experience: Olivia Ashall
My experience on The Promentor Programme: An Alumni Mentoring Programme is one which has provided me with unique opportunities and insights into careers and networks that I would never have been able to access otherwise as a first-generation, working-class student.
How the Promentor Programme helped me
My desired career path is related to policy/ governance, so I was fortunate enough to be paired with a mentor working for the Civil Service, the United Nations, and in policy research. These meetings allowed me unparalleled access to these careers, providing me with the opportunity to ask questions that you wouldn’t find the answer to online.
The Promentor Programme has helped me solidify what path I want my future career to take and provided me with guidance and a support network to achieve this goal. I have greatly improved my confidence, networking, and time-management skills through taking part in this programme. I would highly recommend applying to the Promentor Programme for any incoming first-years.
Advice for future mentees
My advice for those taking part would be:
- Be proactive in engaging with your mentors as they are busy people; reach out first and email them to schedule meetings, but make sure you are flexible time-wise as they have full-time jobs.
- Make sure you are prepared for each meeting with questions and know what you want to get out of each session. It can be helpful to pick a ‘theme’ for each meeting such as applications/interviews, day in the life etc.
- Have a way of keeping in contact with your mentor after you have finished your meetings such as LinkedIn as the mentee/mentor relationship is useful to maintain as you progress in your career.
- Go to the Promentor Programme events put on by the Careers Service, as well as Careers Service events more broadly.
- Supplement mentoring with sessions with careers advisers.
- Try and meet up with your mentors in person at least once if possible! I was only able to meet up with one because of the pandemic, but it was really nice to meet a mentor in person.
Article by Olivia Ashall (she/her), BA Geography at Worcester College, University of Oxford
How to take part in the Promentor Programme
Oxford University students: Applications for the next round of the Promentor Programme opens for University of Oxford students in Michaelmas term 2023.
Professionals: If you are a professional interested in mentoring, find out how to become a mentor.
