Ready, Steady, Mentor!

It seems like just yesterday that I (rather shyly) began recruiting Peer Mentors and working out how I was going to approach the seemingly mammoth task of setting up this year’s Peer Mentoring Scheme. I remember Eleanor Quince telling me that this was my baby, that I should take full ownership of the project – and agreeing, but not really knowing how to go about that. I am glad to say that now, in my last week of the summer internship, I have achieved that and am immensely proud of what the scheme offers to new students and to the Peer Mentors. As the mentors begin making their first contact with new students, I cannot help but feel a mix of excitement, anticipation and – dare I say it – emotion. I imagine that many of the first year students are feeling those very same emotions and it is my hope that our Peer Mentors will be able to help the new students settle in and take full advantage of their time here in the Faculty of Humanities.

The goal may seem lofty but if this internship has taught me anything, it is that such goals can be achieved. It may take imagination, teamwork, humour and sometimes sheer hard work, but it can be done. I know for a fact that my personal skill set has improved dramatically and I am now far more confident about how to approach a project, avoid pitfalls and take up opportunities. More than that, even as I write this blog post I am becoming ever more certain of the direction I would like to take my career. For that, I cannot thank Eleanor Quince and Charlotte Medland enough.

I am glad to say, however, that this will not be my final Mission Employable blog post. I will be continuing to work with the team in various capacities throughout the year and I am very much looking forward to it! Until next time…

Lewis