uk resource centre for women in science, engineering and technology

Mentoring

Whatever stage you are at in your career, mentoring can be worthwhile. You may feel that you would like the support of a mentor or you may be interested in using your skills and experience by becoming a mentor yourself.
 
There are lots of definitions and descriptions of mentoring. One of the best known comes from Eric Parsloe (Oxford School of Coaching and Mentoring):
 
‘To support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be.’
 
A mentor can be a valuable source of help and advice at particular times, especially:
  • when considering future career options
  • when preparing an application for a new job or promotion
  • when settling into a new work environment
  • when coping with difficult situations such as dealing with conflict or returning from a career break
  • if you want support because you find yourself in a minority at work (such as being in a male-dominated profession)
Mentoring relationships can be short term or long term; formal or informal; one on one or group activities; face to face or via the internet. Your mentor may be male or female - this can depend on your needs, and who you feel will be of help.
 

Pofessor Amrita AhluwaliaUKRC mentoring services - how we can help

The UKRC has helped hundreds of women to find or become mentors. We've worked with many organisations and businesses to establish new mentoring schemes or help them access existing ones.
 
We fund MentorSET, a programme run by the Women’s Engineering Society for individual women at all career stages. MentorSET offers full training and support to all volunteer mentees and mentors and covers the whole of the UK. They have matched over 800 women with a mentor since they started the scheme. MentorSET are always looking for women who are interested in being mentored and people who work within SET to become mentors.
 
We provide peer mentoring circles for women in their early careers or women looking to return after a career break.
 
We run a public body mentoring scheme for women working in SET who want to apply for a public body within the next two years.
 
We offer expert advice and practical support to organisations on how to set up or improve a mentoring scheme – including help with marketing, recruitment, training, monitoring and evaluation. This service either comes free, or at extremely competitive prices.
 
There are many organisations that offer advice and information on mentoring.
 
Amrita Ahluwalia (above right) is a Professor of Vascular Pharmacology who - with UKRC - set up a very successful mentoring programme for the British Pharmaceutical Society.