The University of Aberdeen Career Mentoring Programme is a rewarding opportunity to be matched with an experienced professional to gain one-to-one employability advice, support and guidance in a specific profession and/or sector.
Why take part?
As a mentee you'll experience a wide range of benefits as a result of your mentoring partnership which could make a big difference to your life and your future career prospects.
Taking part in the Career Mentoring Programme will allow you to:
- Explore a particular profession or employment area
- Develop work-related skills and confidence
- Connect with a relevant professional to build effective career networks.
Successful participation in the Career Mentoring Programme can be recorded on your MySkills portfolio, a place where students can record and reflect on their activities, evidencing their progress and experiences during their time at the University.
"Through my mentor, I was able to gain valuable insights into the cultural sector here in Scotland, meet with a number of industry professionals and go behind the scenes in places like the Aberdeen City Archives. I still regularly meet with my mentor and she provides me with all sorts of helpful guidance and advice"
Caitlin Jamison, MLitt Museum Studies, 2022
What's involved?
The Career Mentoring Programme involves matching students with a suitable volunteer mentor in a relevant career area for a 3-month partnership.
If matched on the programme, it is your responsibility to:
- Commit to a minimum of 1-2 hours per month during the 3-month programme. We recommend a minimum of three meetings, approximately one per month.
- Register an account with SUMAC, the mentoring software platform.
- Communicate with your mentor in the agreed manner (e.g SUMAC, MS Teams, Zoom or email).
- Take the lead in arranging, keeping track of and recording interactions with your mentor.
- Be open to ideas and feedback and be motivated to improve your prospects and employability.
- Provide feedback to the Careers and Employability Service about the programme.
Prior to joining the mentoring programme you will be asked to complete an online information course (20-30 mins) providing more details on what will be involved and to understand the scheme and expectations. On completion of this, you will be able to access the application link.
The programme does not guarantee a work placement or future graduate employment.
Who is eligible to take part?
Undergraduate students from any subject of study (except medicine) from level 2 and above and postgraduate students from both the Aberdeen and Qatar campuses can participate in the General Career Mentoring Programme. Online students studying full degree programmes (e.g. MSc) are also eligible to apply.
Students studying the MBChB (level 2 and above) should apply via the separate Medicine Career Mentoring Programme.
All participants must be over the age of 18 when the partnership commences.
When will the programme run?
In session 25/26, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from Monday 27th October for all students, which means you can apply at any time. If your application is accepted and we can match you with a mentor, you will commence your three-month partnership at this point.
The final deadline for applications is Friday 15th May 2026.
How do I apply?
To apply, you will need to complete an online information course (20-30 mins) and an application form via SUMAC. Please make sure you complete the correct course for your subject:
- Information course for all students (except for students studying the MBcHB): https://rise.articulate.com/share/8ntIUb6fXDUOeFsz0vXGmjsBf43ulWQN
- Information course for MEDICINE STUDENTS ONLY: https://rise.articulate.com/share/dUVqXe6ynZYaXhDK4O4f7pq-K4YUK3vj
You must complete the course and ensure you complete and submit the confirmation form at the end as this will send you an email with the instructions for the next stage of the application.
Further information
For further information about the Career Mentoring programme, have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions below. If you still have questions, please email mentor@abdn.ac.uk
We also have a range of resources to support mentors and mentees on the programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does the programme run and who is eligible to apply?
-
In session 25/26, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from Monday 27th October for all students. If your application is accepted and we can match you with a mentor, you will commence your three-month partnership at this point.
The final deadline for applications is Friday 15th May 2026.
A separate MBChB programme will run in 2025-2026 for medical students.
Undergraduate students from level 2 and above and postgraduate students from both the Aberdeen and Qatar campuses can participate. Online students studying full degree programmes (e.g. MSc) are also eligible to apply. All participants must be over the age of 18 when the partnership commences.
- What does the programme involve?
-
The Career Mentoring Programme involves matching students with a suitable volunteer mentor in a relevant career area.
If matched on the programme, it is your responsibility to:
- Commit to a minimum of 1-2 hours per month during the 3-month programme. We recommend a minimum of three meetings, approximately one per month.
- Register an account with SUMAC, the mentoring software platform.
- Communicate with your mentor in the agreed manner (e.g SUMAC, MS Teams, Zoom or email).
- Take the lead in arranging, keeping track of and recording interactions with your mentor.
- Be open to ideas and feedback and be motivated to improve your prospects and employability.
- Provide feedback to the Careers and Employability Service about the programme.
Prior to joining the mentoring programme you will be asked to complete an online information course (20-30 mins) providing more details on what will be involved and to understand the scheme and expectations. On completion of this, you will be able to access the application link.
The programme does not guarantee a work placement or future graduate employment.
- Who are the mentors?
-
Mentors are experienced professionals (alumni of the University and non-alumni) who have volunteered to provide one-to-one employability advice and support to a University of Aberdeen student for the duration of the scheme. Mentors represent a wide range of professions and employment sectors.
- Where are the mentors based?
-
For most Aberdeen based students mentors will be in the UK (though some may be located internationally). For students in Doha, mentors will mainly be in Qatar or in the UK. Watch out for the location to see if there is a time zone difference and arrange your contact time appropriately.
- How long does the Career Mentoring Programme last?
-
The career mentoring partnership should last up to three months and we recommend a minimum of three meetings, approximately one per month. You will dedicate a short period of time prior to this to undertake the online information course.
- What is the application process?
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Students will complete an online information course, and following this will be invited to apply to join the mentoring programme through our specialised software, SUMAC. See the text above for links to the information courses.
- How are students matched to mentors?
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Students are matched to a mentor based on the sector areas they are interested in and the skills they are keen to develop.
- How much time would I spend taking part in the programme?
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You should set aside approximately 1-2 hours a month to take part in the programme. Try not to let time pass with no contact at all. The more time you put in, the more you will get out of the programme.
- I am nervous about meeting/contacting my mentor for the first time. What should I do?
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It is understandable that you could be nervous when first contacting your mentor or when meeting them in person for the first time. Remember, you mentor is interested in helping you with your career aspirations, so please relax and remember your mentor was once a student too! Please also remain polite and thank your mentor for any help.
We have a range of resources to support mentors and mentees on the programme, including sample meeting agendas.
Please contact a member of the team if you have any questions or require further support at mentor@abdn.ac.uk.
- Do mentors have placements or graduate jobs available as part of the programme?
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No! The programme does not guarantee a work placement or future graduate employment. The programme is not a job referral network.
- Can I take part in the programme more than once?
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No. Due to the competitive nature of the programme, you can only take part once.
- I haven't heard from my mentor for weeks. What should I do?
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By signing up to this scheme, mentors agreed to maintain contact with their mentee throughout the duration of the scheme. The level of contact expected is a minimum of at least once per month. Please be patient with your mentor as there will be periods when they are very busy or could be on holiday. However, mentors should inform you when these busy periods are coming up, just as you the mentee should also inform your mentor of when you will be unavailable (e.g. holiday or exam periods).
If you have not heard from your mentor in a long time (more than 4 weeks), please contact a member of the team at mentor@abdn.ac.uk.