Double success for Teesside

The University of Teesside has clinched two trophies in a scheme designed to improve the employment prospects and career progression for ethnic minority students.

By taking part in the National Mentoring Consortium Ethnic Minority Undergraduate Mentoring Scheme, volunteer students from minority ethnic groups work with a mentor in a local organisation to learn more about the working world. The scheme presented University of Teesside law student Uzma Shezaadi with a trophy as Mentee of the Year and Steve Trimmins, Director of the Home Office’s Crime Reduction Centre in York, was named Mentor of the Year.

Uzma, 21, from Middlesbrough, is studying the LLB (Hons) Law degree part-time. Together with mentor Steve Trimmins, she explored issues such as time management, how to construct a CV, writing covering letters and her dissertation plan.

Uzma said: “I became interested in law through a friend and after looking into various courses I enrolled at Teesside. A friend of mine had been a mentor on the Ethnic Mentoring scheme and she encouraged me to take part. After finding out more I decided to go for it and I’ve found it really helpful. I’ve learned a lot from my time spent with Steve and he is also helping me to arrange some summer work experience with West Yorkshire Police. When I graduate I want to work either as a police officer or perhaps in the Home Office, and I’m sure that what I’ve learned on the Ethnic Mentoring scheme will be very useful.”

Steve Trimmins, said: “Our department has participated in the scheme for a few years so I decided to get involved as well. As well as helping Uzma, I feel I’ve benefited too. The skills needed as a mentor are the skills you need as a manager as well – coaching, listening, developing people and leadership. It’s helped me to take a fresh look at what I do at work. I’ve also enjoyed the whole scheme immensely and the trophy is brilliant!”

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