At the end of 2010, the ICE Graduates & Students (G&S) network organised the pilot event for a mentoring scheme for students in further education. The scheme was set up by University Links with Eloise Allsop, mentoring officer for the G&S Committee and Michael Gunn, membership development officer for ICE London.
This is the first scheme of its kind organised by the London G&S Committee specifically for college students. The mentoring scheme is ongoing and involves college students being paired with ‘mentors’ - graduate members of the institution. The mentors have regular meetings and discussions with their student mentees so that the students can learn more about the industry and be guided through their career options. The scheme’s aim is for mentors to help mentees realise their full potential as future civil engineers.
The scheme’s pilot consisted of two main events: the first was an evening workshop at Michael Barclay Partnership where the mentors met, were briefed and had a chance to discuss ideas and ask questions about the scheme. The second event was held two days later at ICE’s headquarters, One Great George Street. This event allowed mentees and mentors to meet each other and gave mentees the opportunity to see the institution, often for the first time, and deepen their understanding of it. Michael Gunn led a guided tour of the building and gave a talk about becoming a Technician member, which gave the students much to think about. The final event of the day was a ‘speed dating’ style meet-and-greet which allowed mentees and mentors to be paired appropriately.
The hard work now begins as mentors and mentees set goals and maintain regular contact with each other. Participants of the scheme have already been active, organising site visits between themselves. The scheme is proving to be an invaluable part of the participating students’ learning. The mentors are also ascending a learning curve as the graduate engineers take on responsibility for the career guidance of a junior.
The mentoring scheme will continue to the end of this academic year. The G&S Committee will review the scheme’s progress and feedback from participants to build on the scheme's successes for the following year.
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