Thinking of becoming a Student Mentor?

Deadline for applications : Friday 26th February 2016 at 12.00 noon

Becoming a Student Mentor can help improve your

employability and leadership skills whilst doing something
worthwhile to help new students.

Why apply? I became

In a competitive job market graduates need to be able to demonstrate that they more
have transferable employability skills. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn, confident
enhance and evidence those skills. Previous mentors have claimed that volunteering
as a mentor has enabled them to develop skills such as communication, leadership,
organisational and time management as well as increasing their confidence.
I developed
As a Student Mentor you will receive full training, a handbook giving guidance on leadership
what to cover during mentoring sessions, access to a module on Learning Central
and opportunities to meet with other mentors and the management team for
skills
further support. You will be awarded a Cardiff University certificate signed by the
Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Standards and Student Experience
rewarding your role.
My communication
There is also the potential for Student Mentors to progress to Mentor skills have
Consultant after successfully acting as a voluntary mentor for one year and improved
passing a selection procedure.

When you start applying for jobs, you will be able to use your experience as
a Cardiff University Student Mentor to evidence your skills with real life examples of
communication and organisation.
My time
Have a look at our facebook pages to get a flavour for the scheme. management
https://www.facebook.com/CUStudentMentoringScheme (public page) and is better
https://www.facebook.com/groups/463209073883759/ (closed group for current
mentors)

The role:
As a Student Mentor you will lead a small group of mentees from the same School as you and be part
of a mentoring community. You will be given full training and supervision to work with your group of
first year students to help with their transition to university life and to guide them in developing their
academic skills. You won’t be expected to work alone as a mentor or to know the answers to every
question – there is a team on-hand to help you throughout your mentoring journey.

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Who can apply: For 2016, Student Mentors are sought from the following schools only:

Dentistry Mathematics
Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Physics & Astronomy
Engineering Business
Earth & Ocean Sciences History, Archaeology & Religion
Computer Science & Informatics Social Sciences
English, Communication & Philosophy

Main Functions of the post – what is expected of you:

What will
 Compulsory attendance at scheduled Student Mentor Training*. first year
 Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the issues facing first year students
students. ask about?
 Arrange and conduct meetings with a group of mentees on a
weekly/fortnightly basis.

 Lead these meetings, covering a range of academic-related and support Can you explain
activities by facilitating discussion in small groups, encouraging social the referencing
system?
interaction, problem solving and self-sufficiency amongst the mentees. If
assisting mentees with academic related queries, you must uphold Cardiff
University’s policy on Unfair Practice. How do I find the
relevant journals
 Maintain contact with mentees outside group discussions as appropriate. and articles?

 Send a brief progress report after each meeting to the Academic Skills and
Mentoring team (template provided). Where can I find
part-time work?
 During the academic year, attend at least two group meetings with staff from
the Academic Skills and Mentoring team and at least one meeting with your
appointed Mentor Consultant.
How do I
manage
 Help develop the service by contributing with constructive feedback. reading lists?

 Liaise with the Academic Skills and Mentoring team on anything which may
present as problematic to either individuals or the group.
What about
 Work in a confidential and responsible manner and respect issues concerned housing for
second year?
with equality and diversity.

 Represent the Student Mentor Scheme at appropriate events, such as Open

Days, Induction Week, recruitment events and publicity events on request. Where’s the
cheapest place to
 Be aware of services and signpost students appropriately to relevant shop?
university services.

Additional:
To ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of equality and diversity,
data protection, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies, procedures
and codes as appropriate. To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other
persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work in accordance with the Health and
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Safety at Work Act 1974, EC directives and the University’s Safety, Health and Environment Policies
and procedures and to cooperate with the University on any legal duties placed on it as the
employer. You may be asked to perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but
which will be consistent with the role.
NB*: Cardiff University will provide and fund all Student Mentors to receive full professional training. All students
successfully appointed to this Student Mentor Scheme MUST attend the training provided. Students aren’t paid for
attendance at training. Failure to attend will result in withdrawal from the scheme.

All of these responsibilities will help you build evidence for your CV that you have
learnt
Job and developed vital employability skills.
Description:

About the Student Mentor Scheme

Background:
In 2012 Cardiff University established the Academic Skills and Mentoring Service with the remit of
easing the transition to university for first year undergraduates. In particular many first year students
struggle with the scale of the University, new ways of learning and teaching, and living away from
home.

Job Title: Student Mentor

School/Directorate: Careers & Employability, Student Support & Wellbeing Division
Salary: Voluntary
Hours of work: Approximately one hour a week throughout Semester 1 and to Easter
Responsible to: Manager of Academic Skills & Mentoring
Closing date: Friday 26th February 2016: 12 noon

Three Stages to Being Recruited as a Student Mentor

Stage 1
Complete an application form (either online or hard copy) and submit it by Friday 26th February 12
noon.

If your application form is successful you will progress to Stage 2.

Stage 2
Book your compulsory Mentor Induction Workshop.

This is a three hour compulsory workshop and there are lots of dates and times to choose from:

 Morning or afternoon on the following dates:

Saturday 5th or 19th March 10.00am – 1.00pm or 2.00pm – 5.00pm
 Afternoon on the following dates :
Friday 4th or Wednesday 9th or Friday 11th March 1.15 – 4.15pm

You will be contacted via your Cardiff University email with an online link to book your preferred date
and time. You will be expected to consider your own teaching workload and commitments including
patients, clinics or field work.
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This induction session is an opportunity for us to get to know you better and for you to find out more
about the scheme and what you are committing to. All mentors must have attended this induction
workshop before they can progress to Stage 3.

After the mentor induction workshop you may be invited to progress to Stage 3. Some students may
be asked to attend a brief semi-formal interview.

Stage 3
Book your compulsory Mentor Training Workshop.

This is a four hour compulsory workshop and there will be four slots to choose from:
 Morning or afternoon on the following dates :
Saturday 16th or 23rd April 9.00am – 1.00pm or 1.30pm – 5.30pm

You will be contacted via your Cardiff University email with an online link to book your preferred date
and time.

You will be expected to consider your own teaching workload and commitments including patients,
clinics or field work.

This training session really gives you a good grounding in the skills required to be an effective mentor
as well as providing a networking opportunity where you can meet other mentors from across the
university.

In order to be deployed as a mentor you must have successfully completed all three stages.

How to apply: Please complete the application form found on

https://intranet.cardiff.ac.uk/students/support-and-services/mentoring
For further information or a Word version of the application form email:
SkillsCentre@cardiff.ac.uk

Applying for the post:

Candidates will need to demonstrate that they possess the essential skills and meet the essential
criteria for this role. These may have been gained through experience, voluntary work, paid work or
extra curricular activities such as clubs or societies.

Essential Skills: ● Self skills – including self-management, confidence and self-awareness

● Communication skills – including verbal, listening and non-verbal
● Organisational and time management skills
● Problem solving skills
● Flexibility and adaptability
● Ability to work in a team

Your input during the initial training workshop will form part of the selection process. After the initial
training session, some students might be requested to attend a brief interview to discuss their
suitability to progress their application.

Personal Attributes:
Dependable, trustworthy, approachable and tenacious
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Essential Criteria:
 Sympathy with and understanding of the issues surrounding transition from school and home life
to university
 Ability to work within the remit and confines of a Student Mentor with particular sensitivity to
procedures and boundaries
 Good working knowledge of Cardiff University, its’ libraries, Student Support Services and
Careers and Employability Services
 Ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds in a supportive and constructive manner
 Ability to liaise with Cardiff University management
 Act as an ambassador for Cardiff University and the Academic Skills & Mentoring service in
particular

Desirable criteria: Previous experience of mentoring (either as a mentor or mentee), coaching,

teaching or assisting with after-school or homework clubs or voluntary work

Careers A range of services are available to assist with all applications and enquiries.
& Employability: Please follow the links:

https://careercentral.cardiff.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Application-Forms-booket-
updated-by-JMG-AUG-13-same-as-CMS.pdf

https://careercentral.cardiff.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/CV-booklet-shortened-version-
2013.pdf

Appointment - for applications/CVs either book Quick Enquiry or come along to Drop In -
explanation at:
https://intranet.cardiff.ac.uk/students/support-and-services/careers-and-employability/careers-
advice