The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Mentoring Scheme is one of Careers Network's mentoring programmes.
Applications for the 2025/26 round of the LGBTQ+ Mentoring Programme are now open! The deadline for applications is 30 January 2026, with mentoring relationships due to begin on 6 February 2026 for 6 months.
Our LGBTQ+ mentors aim to support students by offering guidance on navigating the workplace as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer and/or questioning individuals. This could include conversations around the following topics to build a fulfilling and authentic professional life:
- being open about your identity
- devising your own personal coming out strategy
- developing your network and provide ideas for developing contacts
- helping boost your personal and professional development
- increasing your confidence
While our LGBTQ+ Mentoring Scheme is designed to support students in navigating their personal and professional journeys as LGBTQ+ individuals, we understand that some students may prefer guidance focused on specific career sectors. If you don't feel the need to be matched with a mentor who shares your lived experience, we encourage you to explore our Careers Network Mentoring Programme. This scheme offers a slightly different focus, aiming to provide more sector-specific advice tailored to your career aspirations.
How an LGBTQ+ mentor can help you
Deciding on a career, applying for a job, and managing the transition from university to work can be a challenge; even more if you have to decide on whether to come 'out' at work. The good news is that there are many people who are out at work across a wide range of occupations, ranging from 'first-jobbers' to chief executives who have made this transformation with great success.
The aim is to match LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) students with mentors from a range of occupations. Our mentors kindly volunteer their time to share advice about the choices they made in their careers and to share their experiences of being 'out' in the workplace.
How to apply to the LGBTQ+ Mentoring Scheme
Applications for the LGBTQ+ Mentoring Scheme are now open! If you would like to apply please complete our application form below, which will ask you a few questions about why you’re applying and what you’re looking for in a mentor. We’ll then try to find a match from our pool of volunteer mentors, and confirm on 6 February 2026 if we’ve been able to match you.
Former mentor
LGBT Mentoring
“I was keen to take part in the mentoring scheme because I remember how it felt to be a student at the University of Birmingham and not ‘out’ about my sexual orientation, and I wanted to see if I could help support other students to develop confidence to be themselves.”