Thriving while helping students’ careers thrive too!

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Can you introduce yourself?  

I’m Molly and I’m working as the Careers Mentoring Assistant for the THRIVE Scheme in the Careers Centre at UoR. I graduated from the university in July with a BA in English Literature and enjoyed my degree and Reading Uni experience so much I decided to come back and work for them too! 

Describe why you applied to the Thrive job. 

The job I do with THRIVE is all about supporting students in being matched with a mentor from an area of industry they are interested in. At the heart of the role is its focus on social mobility and allowing all students access to advice and guidance which can benefit the shape of their future career path. I’ve always been passionate about ensuring everyone is given the same opportunities, as well as wanting to work in a role that really makes a difference and I feel as though I do this with THRIVE. 

Tell us more about what you do. 

 My side of the role as the Mentoring Assistant covers all the student support and engagement throughout the scheme. Whether that’s promoting THRIVE in a lecture, running the training sessions or dealing with the day to day queries, I’m around to ensure the students are feeling as supported as possible throughout their time with THRIVE and their mentors. 

Describe kind of impact does your job have?   

THRIVE Mentoring allows the student access to a professional network and helps them to become familiar with the world of work. Having support and guidance from a mentor, as well as being introduced to the mentor’s potential network of colleagues, the student can feel more comfortable in the transition from university into a job. Offering students access to a range of mentors, levels the playing field and offers an individual mentoring experience to each student involved, which makes it personalised and allows students who might otherwise not receive support, to feel comfortable and encouraged.    

What are the most rewarding aspects of your job? 

 The absolute highlight of my job is when I work one-on-one with a student to find them a mentor and manage to find and match them up with someone who is doing specifically the job which the student is passionate about. For example, the THRIVE Team were searching for an architect mentor for a student for about 2-3 weeks and when we used our contacts to find someone, the student was so delighted and it made my week! There was also a specific request for a firefighter, and using my networks outside of my job I was introduced to a firefighter who’d been with the London Fire Brigade for 10 years and had lots of experience. Even the most specific mentor request have been fulfilled so I’m sure we’d be able to help you too. Visit www.reading.ac.uk/thrive for more information and to let us know your requests! 

Any future career goals? 

 As a recent graduate of UoR, I was delighted to get a job at the university which I’d loved studying at so much! I’m very new to the world of work so don’t see myself going anywhere for a while, and something tells me I won’t be able to say goodbye to Reading Uni easily so watch this space…