Mentoring programme success: A case study of effective student mentoring
As a Philanthropy, Alumni and Supporter Engagement team, we take immense pride in the relationships our scholarship students form with our donors and alumni. We are delighted to share the story of Ferhan, a Hg Access to Tech Scholarship recipient and his mentor Paul. Paul graduated from the University of Salford in 1990 and has since had a long career in Technology and Software Operations, Investment and Due Diligence. He is now a Company director, with a plural career in Consultancy, Property and Technology Investment.
The Hg Access to Tech & IRIS mentoring scheme piloted in 2022, with the primary aim of providing advice and support to University of Salford scholars. The mentoring typically focused on developing their CV writing skills and personal brand, finding relevant placement opportunities and exploring career pathways. Many of the mentees have strongly recommended the scheme to others and have said they hope to stay in contact with their mentor, with one mentee saying, ‘’I benefitted from a lot of support; my mentor was very kind and understanding.’’ Those who have secured an internship have credited their mentor’s advice and support as being a significant factor in their success, as Ferhan outlines, ‘’Without the mentoring programme, I would not be where I am today; getting the opportunity to do an internship with IRIS and a placement with Ideagen.’’
Ferhan has been actively engaged in the mentoring scheme and has spoken with Paul on a regular basis over the past two years. On the advice of Paul, Ferhan enrolled in an English Language course and took up CV coaching sessions to help improve some areas of his skill set and gain a competitive edge over others. Ferhan has recently secured a placement at Ideagen, a software and solutions company based in Nottingham.
Paul recently travelled to the Ideagen head office, where he met with Ferhan, his line manager and two colleagues from HR (Human Resources). We are pleased to report that Ferhan has settled in well and is enjoying his new role and all that it brings. During the visit, Paul spent two hours with Ferhan and his colleagues, discussing his onboarding process, his schedule and opportunities to leverage his placement to benefit his final year studies and job prospects, whether at Ideagen or elsewhere. Paul will continue to support Ferhan informally through to his graduation if he wishes. We are confident that Ferhan will work hard at Ideagen and fulfil his potential. Paul shared, ‘‘with the collective support of you, me, Salford University, Hg, and its portfolio companies, we helped Ferhan secure a short-term internship with IRIS last summer. He is now working at Ideagen on a placement until he returns to Salford to complete his final year in 2025/26.’’
To thank Paul for all his support, Ferhan presented him with a thank-you card, a heartfelt gesture that clearly demonstrates the positive impact of the mentoring program. Ferhan has said, "Paul’s mentorship over the past two years has been instrumental in shaping my university experience. His guidance, encouragement and insight have not only helped me navigate challenges but also empowered me to achieve my goals. I am truly grateful for the positive impact he has had on my academic and personal growth.”
We look forward to catching up with Ferhan and Paul in the new academic year after their next scheduled call in September. Paul also plans to visit Ferhan around Christmas time to catch up on his progress. Thank you to Paul and our other mentors for your unwavering support of our students, as well as Hg for facilitating this. We look forward to continuing a successful mentoring programme and welcoming more students onto this unique programme in the future.
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