Guest blog by Waqas Qaimkhani, Alumni Engagement Officer at UWE Bristol.
In my role, I have the privilege of talking to alumni and students. These talks often involve alumni sharing their experiences with me – experiences that would be invaluable to students and recent graduates who are at the beginning stages of their careers. The students and recent graduates also tell me about their aspirations and how they want more information and support to make more informed decisions. The answer for both sides (mostly) in these conversations is mentorship!
Mentorship is an important part of creating your own professional development by getting advice and expertise from someone who has already walked down the path that you are considering as well. In the ideal scenario, mentoring becomes a shared experience where both the mentor and mentee grow together. This is exactly why Alumni Connect was created.
Alumni Connect is a mentorship platform created as a space for students, alumni and staff. This website is free to use and allows UWE Bristol alumni and students to create their own network and get mentorship from established alumni in their industries. People connected with UWE Bristol in other professional capacities can also join the platform as mentors, even if they haven’t studied at the university.
Why become a mentor?
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, there are so many reasons to help others while strengthening your own skills. These three benefits highlight why mentoring remains one of the most important forms of professional engagement.
- Your chance to give back.
Mentorship is an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s journey. It’s a meaningful way to share experiences, offer guidance, and support the growth of future leaders. From my own mentoring experience, there’s a genuine sense of satisfaction that comes from seeing a mentee grow, achieve their goals, and gain more confidence. Many mentors find the experience can reenergise their own professional purpose, if they’ve been doing the same role for a long time.
2. Strengthening your leadership skills.
Mentoring naturally develops communication, active listening, coaching, and feedback skills – all essential qualities to showcase your leadership. Guiding someone else often becomes a valuable exercise for personal growth as well.
3. Fresh perspectives.
Working with a mentee can bring new ideas, and different ways of thinking. Mentors frequently tell me that they have learnt almost as much as they have taught. Your mentoring relationship can also evolve into a long-term professional connection leading to you being part of broader, diverse networks that enrich your work and outlook.
Why become a mentee?
However, if you’re not able to provide mentorship to others or want to continue developing yourself before helping others through your experience, getting a mentor is always a great way to continue growing your skills.
- Access to experience and insight.
A mentor offers clarity gained from real-world experience. As a mentee, this can mean learning smarter ways to navigate challenges and avoid common pitfalls. Your mentor can also open doors, make introductions, and help you build relationships that support your long-term aspirations.
2. Accelerated development.
Mentors providing regular guidance helps you to build your confidence, stretch your skills, and strategically move toward your career goals. From personal experience, my mentor has provided me with advice but also career opportunities in their networks. Due to the guidance and advice, I am now on a career path that fulfils my ambitions but also challenges my capabilities. If my mentor didn’t know me well enough, they wouldn’t have been able to judge whether my role was right for me or not. So, when you find a mentor, make sure you approach the mentorship with clarity and purpose.
3. Encouraging but honest feedback
Your ideal mentor should provide a supportive space for reflection – helping you recognise your strengths, identify blind spots, and explore new possibilities. Whether through informal coffee chats or more formal documented meetings, having someone who believes in you – and, more importantly, challenges you in the right moments – can be hugely transformative.
Whether you’re interested in providing mentorship or finding a mentor, one thing that is always available to you is growing your network. On Alumni Connect, there is a very useful map feature which allows you to find alumni across the glove. This is brilliant to see where your classmates now are, where your career path could take you or just getting advice on international travel!
So, whichever path you take – mentoring or seeking a mentor – Alumni Connect is here to support your growth.
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