Alumni Mentoring Scheme

Step one – Explore mentors

• Browse the Alumni Mentor Directory for 2025-26. Each profile in the directory outlines the mentor’s background, experience, and areas where they can offer support.

Step two – Choose your preferences

• Select up to three mentors you’d most like to be matched with.
• Prepare a short statement for each, explaining your interest and motivation.
• Submit the online application form. Applications open and close in October each year.

Step 3 – Matching

• The Careers Service reviews all applications and matches students with mentors based on preferences, availability, and scheme priorities.
• If a mentor is oversubscribed, priority is given to students from underrepresented groups.

Step 4 – Confirmation and induction

• Both students and mentors are notified of the matches in November of each year.
• If you’re matched, you’ll be invited to a short induction event where you’ll learn how to set goals, structure conversations, and make the most of your mentoring relationship.

Step 5 – Begin mentoring

• After induction, you’ll connect with your mentor directly to arrange your first meeting and start building your 1:1 mentoring relationship.

Engaging with an alumni mentor gives you the chance to learn from an experienced member of Imperial’s graduate community, helping you achieve your career goals and personal development objectives.

Previous mentees have used the scheme to:

• Understand the professional world and possible career paths
• Gain specific sector insights and commercial awareness
• Enhance professional skills and graduate readiness
• Expand their professional networks
• Receive guidance on making the most of their time at Imperial
• Build confidence and clarity over their next steps
• Learn tips for applying to internships or graduate roles

Additional support included in the scheme:

• An induction event with mentee training resources
• Access to the Career Pathways tool with structured reflective activities
• Ongoing Careers Service support throughout the scheme
• Networking opportunities with other mentees

What we expect from you:

• Be proactive and engaged in your 1:1 mentoring relationship
• Take responsibility for arranging and preparing for your meetings
• Ask questions, reflect on guidance, and apply insights to your own career planning

Please note: Participation in the scheme is not work experience and is not intended to lead to an offer of employment with the mentor’s company.

The scheme is open to any student studying an undergraduate or postgraduate STEM degree at Imperial College London as well as undergraduate Business School students. 

The scheme is not currently open to MBA or MSc Business School students. Please visit the Imperial College Business School Careers webpages for further guidance and support. 

The Alumni Mentoring scheme also seeks to advance diversity and inclusion by encouraging the networking propensity of students from underrepresented groups. Should the scheme become over-subscribed, priority will be given to students that meet the university's Outreach criteria.

What if I don’t know exactly what career I want yet?

You don’t need to have a precise plan. The scheme is designed for exploration, not fixed direction. As part of your application, you’ll be asked to share goals (e.g. skills to develop, sectors you’re curious about). A mentor can help you test ideas, broaden your view, and clarify your thinking. 

What should I include in my application?

The application form focuses on two areas:

• Your mentorship goals – the specific outcomes or skills you want to gain, and how mentoring will support your career development.
• Your motivation for each mentor – why you’ve chosen them, and what you hope to learn from their background and experience.

Strong applications are clear, specific, and show genuine commitment to your career development.

Can I choose more than one mentor?

You can select up to three mentor profiles in your application, but you’ll only be matched with one mentor on the scheme to keep the relationship focused.

What if I don’t get my first-choice mentor?

While every effort is made to align students with their preferred hosts, the popularity of the scheme means a first-choice match cannot always be guaranteed. It is therefore essential to consider all of your preferences carefully. By reviewing the directory thoroughly and selecting thoughtfully, you can be confident that whichever mentor you are paired with, the experience will still provide valuable opportunities for learning and development. If you are not successfully matched, you can still connect with alumni though the Ask an Alum programme. 

Is the scheme limited to four contact points?

The scheme requires a minimum of four contact points between November and March. However, some mentors are happy to add further meetings or extend conversations beyond this. This is something you can discuss directly with your mentor, depending on their availability and the relationship you build.

What kind of topics can I discuss with my mentor?

Topics are flexible and vary depending on the mentee, but areas typically covered include: insights into working in a sector, CVs and applications, networking, building confidence, skills development, and how to get the most out of your remaining time at Imperial.

Will my mentor help me get a job?

The scheme is not a job placement service. While mentors may share opportunities, their main role is to offer insights, encouragement, and advice to help you take confident next steps.

What happens if my mentor or I want to end the mentorship early?

If either party feels the pairing isn't working, you can let the Careers Service know. We can offer guidance on closing the mentorship relationship respectfully and share other options for connecting with Alum. 

Please contact the Alumni Mentoring Team at mentoring@imperial.ac.uk if you have any additional questions about the scheme.