Written by: Conor Courtney (UCL LLM International Commercial Law 2019–20)I just finished my Masters in UCL, and since the Connect.ed society was a huge part of my experience, I thought I would share some benefits of getting involved with mentoring, especially in these strange new times!
1. Advice and Guidance One of the main benefits to getting a mentor is pretty obvious, you get a contact who will be there to help provide you with advice and guidance. Although UCL offers great resources for studying and essay writing, it is sometimes nice to be able to contact a student or professional who has experienced some of the same issues and concerns that you might be going through. Coming to university, especially if you have moved area or country, can be daunting, and having the chance to discuss some of your concerns with someone who has already lived through it is an amazing opportunity. Beyond career and study advice, mentoring, whether as a mentor or mentee, can help you hone skills, such as communication and time-management, which is always a great addition to any CV. 2. Meeting New People While discussing advice, it is important to recognise that mentoring also offers a great opportunity to meet other people with similar interests, or in similar fields of study. An older student, recent graduate, or professional can be a great contact at university, and might become a colleague or contact in a few years. Whether you’re attending your term online or on campus, it is nice to start the year knowing at least one new person. 3. Useful Experience & Skills Not only does mentoring offer the chance to develop your study skills, but both mentors and mentees can develop skills that can be useful for any future employment opportunities. This includes your communication skills, teamwork and leadership skills, and time management. Getting involved in mentoring and research projects also highlights to future employers that you have a genuine passion for your field of study. On top of this, many sectors, such as law for example, rely on mentoring opportunities during graduate schemes. Having experienced mentoring, whether as a mentor or mentee, can show to employers that you are a suitable candidate for such graduate schemes. In the LLM at UCL, we actually got the chance to work with PhD students during our dissertation/IRE, so mentoring experience can also be helpful if you are looking to pursue a career in academia. On top of this, if you have any interest in volunteering or charity work, then all of the skills that you hone and your experiences with mentoring will be applicable to a volunteering position with a charity or pro bono clinic. 4. Mental Health Finally, mentoring is such a common practice in universities across the world because it can be so beneficial to your mental health. Transitioning into a new university or into a new year of study can be daunting and stressful, and it can be easy for students to overlook the harmful effects this has on their mental health. By taking part in mentoring, whether as a mentee or mentor, you get the chance to take a break from focusing on your coursework and deadlines, and have the opportunity to talk to another person. Taking a break from academic pressures can be a great way to reset, regain some positivity, and refocus. This is especially important during lockdown. At UCL Connect.ed, they hope that their members will ‘Learn something new outside of the lecture halls’, which is important now more than ever, when so many of us are stuck indoors and where a virtual programme might limit our experiences outside of lectures. Why not bring this approach into your own life, and if you were looking for a reason to get involved with mentoring this year, you now have four!
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March 2021
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