The Crankstart Careers Mentoring Programme

If you are selected to be a mentee, you will receive an extensive guide and training before meeting your mentor – so don’t worry if you feel unsure about what a mentoring session itself would be like. However, below are some of the benefits you might seek from having a mentor on the Crankstart Careers Mentoring Programme:

• Insight into an industry/sector you may have otherwise not had the chance to gain
• Opportunity to reflect on your career ambitions and goals
• Chance to be challenged during your sessions, in a way which will differ from your academic challenges
• Build confidence by gaining invaluable employability skills
• Opportunity to potentially build networks and develop an awareness of how to make and maintain professional contacts

If you would like to be considered for the Crankstart Careers Mentoring Programme, you will first have to submit an application via CareerConnect (applications open on Monday 13 October 2025). This will be reviewed by a team of Careers Service staff, who will then match you to a suitable mentor, who we feel will work with your interests.

Selected mentees must attend a training session before they are matched with a mentor and the meetings begin. Mentors and mentees are expected to have 4 mentoring sessions, over a period of 6 months which is most suitable for you and your mentor. Depending on your mentor’s location, this may happen at their place of work or if not possible, (for example they are based outside of the UK) online.

Mentoring sessions are a chance for the mentee to set objectives in terms of careers aspirations and implement an action plan for the course of your mentoring.

Applications open: Monday 13 October 2025

Crankstart Careers Mentoring Information Evening: Thursday 23 October 2025, 5-6pm in-person at the Careers Service

Second Crankstart Careers Mentoring Information Evening: Tuesday 28 October 2025, 5-6pm in-person at the Careers Service

Closing date for applications: Sunday 16 November 2025

Matching: November 2025 - January 2026

6 month mentoring session period: January 2026 - June 2026

Mentees will be able to claim reasonable expenses for any UK travel needed as part of the Careers Mentoring Programme. The expectation is that this will be to and from the mentee’s base and the mentor’s place of work for meetings.

Receipts must be provided to claim expenses, and will only cover public transport. Scholars should endeavour to find the safest modes of transport, for the most reasonable price. Please note that any money claimed will come out of the Crankstart Internship bursary allocation of £3,200.

Please contact crankstart-internships@careers.ox.ac.uk if you are a mentee needing an expense form.

If you have any questions about the Mentoring Programme please do contact the Crankstart Internships and Careers Mentoring Team: crankstart-internships@careers.ox.ac.uk