Law students seeking to pursue a career in the legal profession can apply now to be paired with one of more than 100 mentors registered with Kent Law School’s Professional Mentoring Scheme.
In addition to legal professionals working in the UK, the Scheme includes mentors based in Canada, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Malaysia, UAE, and the UN in Switzerland. Mentors, many of whom are alumni, volunteer their time to help students develop their understanding of the legal world and to navigate the application process for both work and study. They work with their mentees over the course of one academic year, from the beginning of the Autumn term until the end of the Spring term. Students benefit from expert advice on their CVs, mock interviews and assistance with applications. In a few cases, students have also been offered work experience.
Each year, the Scheme also hosts a networking event in London where mentees have an opportunity to meet their mentors and to develop their networking skills.
The Law School’s Professional Mentoring Scheme was set up in 2011 by the Young Alumni Fundraising Group. Kent alumna Madelaine Power, a Barrister at 7BR who was a founding member of the Scheme, said: ‘I started the Scheme by pestering my alumni friends to become mentors. When I was a student I had no family or friends who worked in the legal sector. I felt like everyone knew lawyers except me and had work experience and careers advice on tap.
‘I know the mentees have found the advice, support and often work experience invaluable. It is a clear demonstration that Kent Law School has trained, and continues to train, the very best and brightest who have gone on to be excellent lawyers and people willing to help others get a foot in the door.’
Full details about the Scheme (and an application form) are available to students on Moodle (see: DP1950 Employability). The scheme is open to any student returning to Kent Law School in September 2016. Students are encouraged to apply early in order to achieve the best match and international students seeking an international mentor are urged to apply as soon as possible in order to be matched with a mentor in advance of the summer vacation.
Mentors wanted!
Student interest in the Law School’s Professional Mentoring Scheme has now exceeded the number of mentors available and we are keen to recruit new mentors from amongst:
- Kent Law School alumni
- The legal profession in Kent, whether qualified or not (regardless of where you went to University)
- Those working in careers which have links to the law such as journalism, Human Resources etc
- International alumni whom have returned to their home countries to work in the legal profession or whom have stayed in the UK to qualify. We have a particular need for mentors in Canada, Hong Kong and Nigeria. There is also a some need for mentors in East Africa, the Caribbean and South East Asia (needs vary every year)
If you would like to get involved please contact the School’s Employability and Career Development Office Jayne Instone via e.j.instone@kent.ac.uk
