Patrick Welsh, Patrick Welsh Marketing
What motivated you to become a mentor?
Patrick Welsh
Proprietor
Patrick Welsh Marketing
www.pwelsh.co.uk
My business involves providing consultancy and mentoring to small businesses in the region. I joined the scheme in 2008 as I saw university mentoring as a way to both broaden my skills and experience, as well as to give something back to the city I live in. University students in the current climate need all the help they can get to find work which will make best use of their learning.
What activities did you organise for your mentee?
I concentrated on helping my student become clearer about what she wanted to do in her chosen field. She had a wide range of options and I helped her to identify what she was most motivated by and potentially best suited to. We then worked on developing her CV and investigated new ways for her to find potential employers.
What did you find most enjoyable?
We conducted a number of exercises to help my mentee gain a deeper understanding of her skills. For me, it was particularly rewarding to be able to help her identify aspects of her personality and experience which would be particularly valuable in the world of work.
What were the outcomes for you/your organisation?
Recognition that I was able to help someone take steps towards work in their chosen career and gain much greater clarity over what they have to offer an employer and what they want in return.
Would you do it again?
Yes, I have already arranged to work with another mentee starting soon. I'm looking forward to it.
What advice would you give to potential mentors?
Don't expect results immediately. It can be tempting to expect quick progress when in reality you are helping someone with their own understanding of themselves and their development. These things can take time, but could have a much more profound effect in the long term, maybe long after you have finished your work.
