Mentor job sectors and roles

We work with a wide range of mentors from different sectors who can share their experiences with you. Many of these are UoB Alumni who have volunteered their time to help, but we do also work with non-alumni mentors too.

Some of our mentors are at the early stages of their careers, having graduated only a few years ago. They can share what it’s really like to be a student today and how they navigated the transition from university into the working world. Others bring years of experience and can talk you through their career journeys, the different roles they’ve held, and the sectors they’ve explored.

We also have mentors with experience of starting a business, as well as mentors who specifically want to support LGBTQ+ students with their identities in the workplace LGBTQ+ students with their identities in the workplace. 

A majority of our mentors are UK based however, we also have some who are based internationally in places such as the US, Hong Kong, India, Singapore and more. They can offer insights into studying or working internationally, and even share tips on finding job opportunities or work experience in those countries.

To give you a sense of the types of mentor we work with, you can find some examples below. Mentor availability changes each round, so there may be some variation of mentor roles each time. Think of this as a snapshot of the wide range of experiences mentoring can offer.

Accounting and Finance

Sector skills: Financial analysis; Attention to detail; Commercial awareness; Risk assessment; Data literacy

  • Audit Professional
  • Finance Business Partner
  • Accounting Professional
  • Finance Director
  • Tax Professional
  • Consultant
  • Finance Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Managing Director
  • Finance Professional
  • Analyst
  • Insurance professionals (inc. actuaries)

Banking

Sector skills: Quantitative reasoning; Market awareness; Client relationship management; Problem‑solving

  • Risk Manager
  • Accountant
  • Advisers
  • Analysts

Business and Management

Sector skills: Strategic thinking; Leadership; Project delivery; Negotiation; Data‑driven decision making

  • Coaching professionals
  • Project Manager
  • Business Architect
  • Analyst
  • Start-Up Founder
  • Marketing In Higher Education
  • Consultant
  • Supply Chain / Procurement
  • Higher Education Manager
  • Executive Chairman
  • Managing Partner
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Global Business Manager
  • Director
  • Data & Strategy Roles
  • Business Owner/ Self-Employed
  • Sales
  • Communications

Explore insights from one of our mentors below to discover who they are, how they can support you, and their top tips for entering their industry.


(Video transcript on YouTube)

Charity and Community Work

Sector skills: Advocacy and campaigning; Community engagement; Fundraising strategy; Safeguarding awareness

  • Fundraising/ Business Development
  • Policy & Research
  • Charity Volunteer
  • Data Consultant
  • Community/ Stakeholder Engagement
  • Social Work Professionals
  • Police officer

Computing and IT

Sector skills: Technical troubleshooting; Programming proficiency; Cybersecurity awareness; User‑centred design; Data handling

  • Consultant
  • Systems Engineer
  • Senior Management Roles
  • Software Engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Data Analysis Or Data Adjacent Roles E.G. Data Engineer, Penetration Tester, Database Managers
  • Technology Officers
  • AI Adjacent Roles
  • Designer

Education

Sector skills: Curriculum design; Pastoral support; Behaviour management; Adaptability

  • Careers Advisor (Higher Education)
  • Teaching roles (Including senior managers in teaching)
  • Higher Education Teaching
  • Professional Services
  • Education adjacent roles, inc. support roles and management
  • Special Education Needs support roles (inc. Psychologists)
  • Pastoral Manager

Energy and Utilities

Sector skills: Technical literacy; Sustainability knowledge; Risk and safety awareness; Project planning

  • Geoscientists
  • Head Of Development
  • Head Of Research & Development
  • Head Of Technical Services
  • Consultant
  • Sustainability professionals
  • Portfolio managers

Engineering and Manufacturing

Sector skills: Technical design; Systems optimisation; Quality assurance; Health and safety

  • Engineering Specialist ( E.G, Geotechnical, Aerospace,Mechanical, Chemical, Railway, Structural)
  • Managing And Technical Director
  • Graduate Engineers
  • Technical Account Manager
  • Senior Roles And Management
  • Project Leader/Planning Consultant
  • Process engineer

Explore insights from some of our mentors below to discover who they are, how they can support you, and their top tips for entering their industry.

(Video transcript on YouTube)

(Video transcript on YouTube)

Healthcare/Medicine

Sector skills: Clinical reasoning; Empathy; Ethical decision‑making; Research literacy

  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatrists
  • Nurse
  • Doctor E.G. Specialist
  • Academic Research Professional
  • Healthcare Management Roles
  • Consultants
  • Clinical Scientists
  • Consultant In Medicine
  • Research Fellows
  • Policy manager
  • Pharmaceutical scientists
  • Physiotherapist      

You can listen to one of our Physiotherapist mentors talking about their career experience on Careers Network's podcast. Careers Network's podcast. (S2 E7: The Truth Beyond the Title: Physiotherapist)

Human Resources and Recruitment

Sector skills: Conflict resolution; Talent development; Employment law awareness; Interviewing skills

  • Learning Designer
  • Senior Management Roles
  • Recruitment Consultant
  • Training Manager
  • HR Advisors & Professionals

Legal

Sector skills: Legal research; Advocacy; Drafting precision; Client management

  • Barrister 
  • Commercial Solicitor
  • Consultants
  • Trainee Solicitor
  • Partner
  • Crime analyst
  • Patent attorney

Explore insights from one of our mentors below to discover who they are, how they can support you, and their top tips for entering their industry.

 

(Video transcript on YouTube)

You can listen to one of our Barrister mentors talking about their career experience on Careers Network's podcast. Careers Network's podcast. (S2, E14: Truth Behind the Title: Barrister)

Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations

Sector skills: Brand storytelling; Digital analytics; Content creation; Campaign planning

  • Director
  • Account Director
  • Digital Marketing Executive
  • Sales And Marketing Professionals
  • Advertising Professionals

Arts, Media and Publishing

Sector skills: Creative production; Audience engagement; Project coordination; IP awareness

  • Assistant Producer
  • Consultant
  • Senior Roles And Management
  • Museum Professionals
  • Manager
  • Film/Music/Theatre Professionals
  • Creative Director
  • Editor
  • Publishing Professional
  • Music Management

Property 

Sector skills: Market evaluation; Regulatory knowledge; Client relationship building; Project oversight

  • Estate Agent
  • Facilities Manager
  • Senior Roles And Management
  • Housing Manager/Officer
  • Town Planner
  • Urban Designer

Public sector and Government

Sector skills: Policy analysis; Public communication; Stakeholder engagement; Programme delivery

  • Project Managers
  • Analysts
  • Consultants
  • Civil Servants
  • Cyber Security
  • Risk Assessor
  • Scientific Officer
  • Senior Roles And Management
  • Policy Advisor

Science and Research

Sector skills: Interpersonal skills; Explaining complex ideas simply; Analytical skills; Teamwork and independent working skills; Confidence in presenting; Creative problem-solving

  • Academic Research Professions (Theoretical Or Experimental)
  • Senior Roles And Managing Within Industry
  • Research Support/ Adjacent Roles
  • Analyst
  • Industry Roles And Research (Theoretical Or Experimental)
  • Consultant
  • Computational Roles
  • Technician

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