Mentoring opportunities
Beyond Barriers Student Mentoring Scheme
At Kingston University we want to ensure that all of our students and staff have the best possible chance to succeed in their study or work. Our Beyond Barriers Student Mentoring Scheme is just one of the strategies we are using to help the University make progress against its equality objectives.
Applications for the 2020-21 Beyond Barriers Student Mentoring Programme are now closed.
Student Scheme
We want all our students to complete their degree with the best possible results. We know that career prospects for students are greatly improved if they have the life skills needed to succeed in the workplace, know what will be expected of them and know how to meet these expectations. Our successful Beyond Barriers Mentoring Scheme for under-represented second-year, third-year and postgraduate students is designed to give our students the confidence and skills to gain that all important graduate job, to help them develop techniques to enhance their studies and to address attainment gaps in higher education.
We actively seek professionals and entrepreneurs to offer their support through one-to-one online mentoring and to help our students to achieve their potential. Mentors can offer impartial advice, encourage new experiences and positive choices and help to inspire self-confidence. Our mentors have benefited enormously from taking part in the scheme on a professional level as well as the satisfaction gained from 'giving back'.
The scheme runs from November to May and only requires a commitment of two hours a month. This will take the form of online support to include, for example, communicating via email, video calling and phone conversations. The scheme will also include several online events including comprehensive training, workshops and a special event to celebrate mentors' and mentees' contributions.
The Student Mentoring Scheme is available for second-year, third-year and postgraduate:
- Black and minority ethnic students
- Female science, engineering, technology, maths and the built environment students
- KU Cares students
- LGBT+ students
- Mature students
- Students with a learning difference or disability
- Students who are first in their family to attend higher education
- Commuter students; and
- Student parents
Download information for:
For further information, please email beyondbarriers@kingston.ac.uk or call 020 8417 4038.
Staff mentoring
The Beyond Barriers scheme for BME staff and female staff is one of the strategies we are using to address the under-representation of these staff groups at senior grades.
Taking part in a mentoring scheme is beneficial to everyone involved, and can help to:
- maximise potential;
- increase confidence;
- political astuteness;
- understand power and influence;
- develop resilience; and
- improve self-awareness.
For further information, please email beyondbarriers@kingston.ac.uk or call 020 8417 4038.
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"The whole experience was awesome. I had a brilliant mentor, who went out of her way to make sure I achieved my targeted goals. My confidence as an individual has improved and I have been able to overcome the fear about facing an interview. I will definitely recommend this mentoring scheme to others."
Blessing Ogbenna Nlems, student mentee
Dr Lucy Jones, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing has recently taken on the role of Gender Equality Champion at Kingston University. As well as contributing to projects such as Athena Swan, Lucy is a strong advocate for the Beyond Barriers mentoring scheme. Read about Lucy's involvement in the scheme as a mentor and champion.
Read about our 2017 mentee, Thembi Mundanda's experience in the summer edition of Borough Business on page 23.
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Equality, diversity and inclusion
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