Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce (TVCC) and the BNU School of Business and Law have jointly introduced a Management Mentoring Scheme aimed at bridging the gap between final year undergraduate students and seasoned senior managers in the Thames Valley region.
This initiative seeks to foster meaningful connections, knowledge exchange, and professional growth and aims to create a symbiotic relationship between mentors and mentees.
The aim of the project is foster industry and student connections and benefits include:
- Insights and Guidance: Final year students gain valuable real-world insights related to their chosen fields. Personalized guidance on career decisions, job applications, and professional development is a key focus.
- Networking Opportunities: Mentees expand their professional networks by connecting with experienced industry leaders. These connections may lead to internships, job referrals, and future collaborations.
- Skill Enhancement: The mentoring platform provides an opportunity for skill-building. Students will learn effective communication, leadership, time management, and industry-specific skills.
- Increased Confidence: Regular engagement with senior mentors boosts students’ confidence, easing their transition from academia to the professional world.
Paul Britton, CEO at TVCC said: “The Chamber is proud to be working with BNU in introducing this Management Mentoring Scheme. Together, we are working to bridge the gap between experience and ambition, fostering connections that propel careers forward and enrich the business landscape of the Thames Valley region.”
Sarah Williams, Head of School of Business and Law, BNU, said: ‘We are delighted to be teaming up with the Chamber to create an industry mentoring scheme for BNU business and law students. It represents a great opportunity for businesses in the region to give back to students and for students to learn essential skills from senior managers. The Thames Valley is a hotbed of talent and expertise, and we want to work with industry to ensure that our students are ready to join this vibrant workforce.”
The scheme is looking for senior managers interested in contributing to the community by sharing their expertise and experiences to become mentors for BNU final year students.
Engaging with enthusiastic students offers senior managers the opportunity to invigorate their own thinking and problem-solving approaches and also hones their own leadership skills, emphasising active listening, empathy, and effective communication.
If you think you have what it takes to become a mentor, contact Sarah Williams, Head of School of Business and Law at BNU (sarah.williams2@bnu.ac.uk) or David Saab, Business Alliance Manager & Mental Wellbeing Champion at TVCC (davidsaab@tvchamber.co.uk).
