Future Ready Mentoring
The Future Ready Mentoring programme is a valuable opportunity to build the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. This is more than a mentoring programme, it’s an opportunity to invest in your future and step out of your comfort zone.
We will match you to an alumni mentor based on your personality and motivations, providing a solid base for a strong one-to-one mentoring relationship.
By actively engaging in this programme, you'll grow your confidence, gain career insights, and build skills that will help you to transition to the workplace to help you thrive in your future career.
Your next steps
Applications for the 2026 programme will open in January.
If you would like to express your interest in the programme before applications open, please complete this short form.
I'm interested!
What does the programme involve?
This is a multi-faceted programme involving Careers-led workshops to help prepare you for your mentoring experience and four months of one-to-one support with an alumni mentor.
An added benefit of the one-to-one support programme is the peer-to-peer support network you will build.
All students on the programme will be added to a private Microsoft Teams group where you will have access to resources, attend online drop-in sessions and interact with your peers and the Careers team using the 'Ask a question' facility.
You can use the chat function on the group to share good news stories, ask for help and share your experiences of being on the Future Ready programme.
My alumni mentor has been amazing. We agreed to meet online every two weeks, which we stuck to and covered a range of topics such as interviews, experience, CVs, career paths and more
When does the programme run?
The programme will run from February to June.
February
February will be a busy month for Future Ready participants.
We will host a compulsory two-hour workshop which will help you to prepare for your mentoring experience, you will be introduced to your alumni mentor and have your first introductory call.
During the workshop we will focus on developing professional skills and setting SMART goals to help you get the most of your one-to-one interactions. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals
This workshop is an integral part of the programme, and you must be able to commit to attending when applying for the programme.
March to June
The next phase is the mentoring part of the programme. This is when you will have your one-to-one interactions with the alumni mentor you will be matched with.
During this time, you will have access to support from the Career Connections team via our Teams site, bookable one-to-one appointments, weekly online drop-in and peer-to-peer support. We will also send both you and your alumni mentor monthly emails to check-in and see how things are going.
Our alumni mentors vary in age and experience, but what they have in common is a desire to help and give back. They will help you think about your future career and build your career confidence.
The mentors have dedicated a significant amount of time and energy to supporting this programme, and your engagement is an integral part of making it a success. We really encourage you to make the most of the opportunity and stay actively engaged.
How will your mentor support you?
Through the February workshop, the Careers team will help you to identify meaningful goals for the Future Ready Mentoring programme. For example, this could be around narrowing down your career ideas, preparing for work experience or gaining an insight into the workplace.
You will then work towards these goals with the help of your alumni mentor. During your one-to-one interactions, they will listen to your goals and career aspirations, ask questions to help you think in more detail and may set bitesize tasks to help move you closer to achieving your goals.
My alumni mentor was a consultant in a tech company, so talking to him really helped me make my decision on whether or not I wanted to be a consultant. He recommended some useful tools to help with networking.
Who can apply for the programme?
The programme is open to undergraduate students who were in receipt of free school meals at school. There are 50 places available.
If you've not thought about your future career and haven't developed a professional network, this programme could be just right for you.
We are looking for students who want to step outside their comfort zone and invest in their future. This isn’t just another task, it’s an opportunity grow and prepare for the transition to the world of work. Your future depends on the effort you put in to today.
Applications will open in January and will be open for two weeks. Use the button at the top of the page when applications are live.