Applications open in September 2021
In joining the programme as a mentor, you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with a mentee. This will include the following:
- providing career advice to mentees, acting as a sounding board for ideas and action plans
- helping mentees broaden their professional network
- recommending learning resources to help mentees reach specific career goals
The Generation UK Mentorship Programme will take place online and last for six months.
Mentors and mentees are expected to meet virtually at least once a month for a minimum of one hour.
Mentees are young professionals with at least one year of work experience. They are chosen through a competitive assessment process based on their career goals and motivations to be on the programme.
If requested, we will try to match mentors with a mentee who has a specific background, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Eligibility
A Mentor will have:
Required
- Experience in the UK and China through study and/or work
- A minimum of five years of work experience in any industry or sector
Preferable
- Knowledge of what a Mentorship Programme is and the benefits to both Mentees and Mentors
- A genuine desire to share their time, expertise and experience
- Willingness to open their network to the mentee where appropriate
- Good communication, listening and time management skills
Why take part?
- Enhance your leadership and communication skills
- Demonstrate your mentoring, coaching and interpersonal skills
- Gain a “fresh” perspective from the next generation
- Connect with industry peers and increase your professional network through British Council events
- Obtain personal satisfaction in making a significant difference to your mentee’s career and professional development
- Support the British Council and UK government’s agenda to develop a new generation of globally mobile and culturally agile leaders.
Testimonials
Below are some testimonials from some of the mentors who took part in the 2020/21 Generation UK Mentorship Programme:
“As a Mentor, I acted as a sounding board and provided advice in respect of postgraduate programmes and applications. My Mentee went onto secure a place studying International Commercial Arbitration at a top university”
“This was the first time I have taken part in a professional mentorship programme as a mentor or mentee. I was attracted to the programme as I would have loved to have taken part in something like this when I was a similar stage in my career to the mentees and my career hasn't given me lot of opportunities to work with people less experienced with me so far. It was a pleasure to be involved and witness the development of the thinking of my mentee over the course of the programme.”