Aeryn, BSc International Development:
“Thrive has highlighted the importance of networking to me. Before, I didn’t realise how willing individuals and professionals who were in my field of work are to give up a small amount of their time to teach or impose knowledge on students or young adults.” 

Amae, MSc Communication for Development
“THRIVE was a great experience for me because I was fortunate to be matched with a mentor who is also from my own country. It was really nice to be able to talk to someone who could give me a glimpse into the work and opportunities that are possible for me in the future. I hope everyone takes advantage of the Thrive programme because I believe it will really help them with their future career plans!”

MSc Food Security and Development student
“Everyone should have a mentor! The Thrive mentorship programme has encouraged the attitude to build connections, relationships and mentors across the course of one’s life and has served as a mutually beneficial career support.” 

Genna, BSc Biochemistry

“I think this service has been invaluable to me during the pandemic, where graduate opportunities have been sparse, and has helped encourage me to push for experiences in such an uncertain time. I have grown in confidence, both from a personal and a business perspective, and I have been able to assert myself in my decision making.”

Josephine, BSc Engineering and Physiology

"Upon joining Thrive, I faced the challenge of having to switch from a Bachelor of Engineering to a Bachelor of Science during my first year. This shift raised concerns about my ability to pursue a career in engineering post-university. Fortunately, having Lacey as my mentor proved to be invaluable during this uncertain period.

Initially, I found myself uncertain about pursuing a placement, questioning if it was too late to kickstart the application process. The timing seemed a bit daunting, and I hesitated, wondering if I had missed the window of opportunity. However, with Lacey's unwavering support and encouragement, I gained the confidence to take the plunge. Her guidance reassured me that it's never too late to explore new opportunities and that the right mentorship can make all the difference. This shift in perspective, coupled with Lacey's motivation, ultimately propelled me to embark on the journey towards securing a placement.

Lacey's guidance and support were instrumental in understanding that despite the change in my academic path, there were still ample opportunities to pursue a career in engineering. Her insights and encouragement played a vital role in alleviating my worries and keeping me focused on my goals.

Lacey's support went beyond the basics – she went the extra mile by sharing her professional contacts, providing me with valuable insights into potential placement opportunities. Thanks to her connections, I gained a deeper understanding of the industry and received firsthand information about interview expectations. This unique access to industry insiders not only demystified the interview process but also allowed me to tailor my approach based on real-world experiences. Lacey's network played a pivotal role in enhancing my understanding and preparedness for interviews, contributing significantly to my success in securing a placement.

I am sincerely grateful for the support provided by Thrive and Lacey. The program not only facilitated my placement but also played a crucial role in reshaping my perspective on career possibilities in engineering."

Mary, BSc Building Surveying

“Thrive has provided me with a great opportunity to broaden my network. My mentor was a great sounding board and gave useful advice based on his own experiences which was invaluable. It was also through a contact of his that I was able to secure a work placement for the summer. Thank you Thrive and thank you Toby!”

Luzie, BA English Literature

“THRIVE is a fantastic opportunity to get your foot in the door. I feel like much weight has been taken off my shoulders just by having all my questions answered. Signing up for THRIVE has been an excellent decision!”

Katie, BA English Literature

“If you commit to THRIVE, you can really get so much out of it. Your mentor wants to mentor you and help you in any way possible; take advantage of that. Take advantage of these opportunities because they’re only going to benefit you.”

Hannah Lilly, BA English Literature

I decided to apply for Thrive Mentoring in early 2021, because I was overwhelmed thinking about post-graduation life and how to give myself the best foot forward. 
Luckily I was paired with my first choice of mentor, who was Kevin Lyons, a HR professional from Pearson PLC, the FTSE 100 company. Kevin has helped immensely with my job search. He has helped me curate a great CV, given me really helpful job interview tips and helped me with setting up a professional-looking LinkedIn profile. He also offered to search for a work placement or shadowing at Pearson, but I was able to get a job before then, which I thoroughly enjoy and which gives me an excellent start to my career
I highly recommend applying for the Thrive Scheme because you can gain invaluable advice from business professionals and network with a whole range of people who you may never have come across. Overall the Thrive Scheme was the best thing I did at uni and I’m very thankful to the team and for all of Kevin’s help

Mingyao, BSc Business Economics and Trade
“My mentor helped me understand myself better by doing self-reflection and using mind maps. During the mentorship, I formed a clear career plan. I would like to recommend Thrive Mentoring to other students because you can reach out to real experts and receive guidance from them, which benefits you a lot!” 

Arthur, BA Economics
“Chris has been extremely useful in helping me reach my goals and I would honestly say that I don't think I could have gotten an internship without him. It's honestly been one of the best opportunities that the university has to offer.” 

Alice, BSc Psychology:

“I met my mentor for the first time, and it was such a great meeting; she gave me a tour of the police station where she is based and where my placement will be taking place. She also introduced me to some important, relevant people at the police station such as the Superintendent of the station. It was also a great opportunity to just have an informal chat about my career goals and the day-to-day tasks that she does in her role, some other Detectives were also in her office and so we had a bit of a group talk over the lunch break where I got some great tips and advice from them all.

Overall, it really opened my eyes about some of the things I can do to help my application once I graduate. My mentor said that herself and her colleagues are always there to help, and when I am there on my placement, they may be able to arrange some shifts working with the detectives in CID which would be a great experience.”