Mentoring Programme
The School’s mentoring programme pairs undergraduate students with professionals from a background in History, Classics and Archaeology.
My mentoring experience was fantastic. I was paired with a mentor who was an expert in the field I wish to enter, and who was willing to answer any question. She showed me the ways in which careers can change, and about how to find a role which suits you, as opposed to changing yourself for the role.
Since its inception in 2016, the programme has successfully matched almost 100 students with mentors from sectors such as museums and heritage, the media, the civil service, business and finance.
Many of our mentors take part in the programme year-on-year. They include professionals from backgrounds in History, Classics and Archaeology and many are alumni of the School. In recent years mentees, now in graduate jobs, have re-joined the scheme as a way to give back having had such positive experiences themselves.
Who is it for?
Our bespoke mentoring programme is for 2nd and 3rd year students from across the School's three subject areas.
How does it work?
The programme matches students to a mentor who is in employment and has a background in History, Classics or Archaeology. Our partners work in roles both related to these subjects, or in industries different to those related to their studies. This allow mentees to explore career options, develop their career confidence and get a greater understanding of how to use their degree after graduation.
Mentees connect and build a relationship with their mentor over a period of about 6 months. Mentors offer advice about the career journey, their own experiences and provide honest insights into areas of work students may be looking to pursue. Mentors may also be able to suggest ways students can develop their skills, and even offer inspiration about possible future career paths.
How to apply?
Student/mentee applications are now closed for the academic year 2022/23. If you'd be interested in becoming a mentor please get in touch at hca-mentoring@ed.ac.uk.
What participants say
The mentoring experience was amazing for me, through it I have learned a lot about potential opportunities for research and gained some insight into the working of official institutions in the sector. Moreover, I have become aware of new venues which I might pursue further.
Having the space and freedom to talk about my career aspirations with an alumna in my field of interest has made the job-hunting process seem so much less impossible. I have loved being a participant of the mentoring project because it has hugely boosted my career confidence and given me the patience to take each career step.
I found my mentoring experience insightful, engaging and incredibly useful. Discussing my career aspirations and how to get there with an experienced professional in a career-field which I’m interested in, and who studied the same course as me at the university, made the experience very relatable and thus more impactful.
I was in a very similar position to the young women I mentored when I was at Uni. My parents didn't go to Uni and their jobs were admin/construction - I always felt that I didn't really know what jobs were out there, because I wasn't exposed to graduate level jobs growing up... I think it's so important, and especially for those students who are first generation to attend Uni, to have contact with workplaces and know how their skills and degrees can be used within the workplace.
Engaging with enthusiastic young people is really positive, and helped me remember why I work in heritage.
The best part was sharing our experiences about anxiety, insecurities, lack of confidence etc. I enjoy discussing issues of personal growth and general attitude rather than specific points like CV building.
Contact Us
Whether you are a student interested in enrolling in the programme, or are working in industry and would like to find out more about becoming a mentor, we’d love to hear from you.
Please get in touch at hca-mentoring@ed.ac.uk