Mentor scheme boosts Carol’s confidence – and her job prospects

University of Teesside student Carol Khumalo wanted to boost her confidence before entering the workplace.

So she signed up for the University’s DiversiTees scheme, which aims to enhance the career prospects of students who may be at a disadvantage in the graduate employment market.

The scheme matches eligible students with a volunteer mentor from a range of partnership organisations in the public and private sector, including retail, criminal justice, local government and the media. Carol’s retail placement proved a successful move.

Carol, pictured, has just completed her BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance degree at the University and found out about the scheme from a poster on campus. She applied and was matched with mentor, Emma Fannan, Selling Support Manager at the Debenhams department store in Middlesbrough. Emma supervises a team of 20 that look after the ‘back of house’ operations including the stock room, loss protection, cash office and administration.

Carol, 23, lives in Stockton-on-Tees but is originally from Zimbabwe. She said: “I was attracted to the scheme to improve my self confidence and my chances of getting a job. I had never been for an interview before or prepared a CV, so it was all a bit daunting.

“Emma helped me to write a CV and prepare me for a job interview. We also met up on a regular basis at Debenhams, where Emma gave me an insight into how the IT systems, stock room and administration work.

“At the end of the scheme, I gave a presentation to all the people involved and it showed just how far I had progressed. At the beginning, there’s no way I would’ve had the confidence to stand up in front of a room full of people, but I now have the belief to take on challenges like that.”

Emma Fannan, pictured right, said: “I tried to use my experience working in the retail sector, and the knowledge and skills that I have gained to pass on to Carol. She spent time in store learning about various roles behind the scenes at Debenhams and was always enthusiastic about our meetings. Carol’s confidence grew as we progressed on the scheme, especially after we had worked together writing CVs and preparing for her interview. I was really pleased to play a part in her progress.”

Jane Simpson, Careers Adviser and Scheme Co-ordinator at the University, said: “It’s fantastic to get positive feedback from students who feel the scheme has helped them move forward in their career planning and personal development. The support of both local and national employers, like Debenhams, is invaluable and we are always interested in hearing from companies who would like to be involved.”

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