At a Glance
- Tasks: Guide diverse students in their career journeys through online mentoring.
- Company: Join Arden University, a forward-thinking institution dedicated to student success.
- Benefits: Flexible volunteering, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive community and access bespoke training.
- Why this job: Empower students from diverse backgrounds and enhance your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 2+ years of professional experience; no prior mentoring needed.
Volunteer Mentor - Arden Careers & Employability (ACE) Mentoring Programme
Programme: Arden Careers & Employability (ACE) Mentoring
Department: Careers, Employability, Enterprise & Alumni
Employment Type: Voluntary (non-remunerated)
Location: Remote (online)
Term: 6 Months (renewable for future cohorts)
Time Commitment: Approx. 1-2 hours a month (minimum 4 x online meetings + ad-hoc support as required)
About The Opportunity
Arden University runs the 'ACE Mentoring Programme' to help close gaps in progression and improve graduate outcomes for students from priority groups. This initiative connects current students/recent graduates with industry professionals and/or Arden alumni for structured, online career mentoring. As a volunteer mentor, you’ll share your industry expertise and professional insight to help students build confidence, develop employability skills, and progress into meaningful work or further study through clear, achievable career plans.
You’ll be matched with mentee(s) from priority groups, including:
- Students from ethnic minority backgrounds
- Students with disabilities (including mental health conditions)
- Students who are care experienced
Mentoring takes place online via our approved 3rd party mentoring platform, Mentorloop. You’ll receive training and support to help you get started and make the most of the experience.
Programme Timings
The programme runs from Autumn 2026 to Spring 2027 over a period of 6 months. All mentoring conversations and meetings take place online meaning the schedule is flexible. We ask mentors to commit approximately 1–2 hours per month, including ad-hoc support between mentoring sessions. We recommend holding a meeting roughly every 4 weeks, but this may be more or less frequent, depending on your availability and how often your mentee wishes to meet.
What We Are Looking For
We welcome professionals from all sectors and backgrounds who have at least 2 years professional experience in graduate or management level employment. You don’t need prior mentoring experience, just a genuine interest in supporting students and the ability to share practical career insight. Ideal mentors will be:
- Enthusiastic and committed to the idea of mentoring to support students from a wide range of backgrounds.
- Willing to help others develop and succeed by sharing real industry insights and personal experience.
- Strong communicators who can offer encouragement and constructive feedback.
- Respectful, inclusive, open-minded and able to mentor without judgement, bias or discrimination.
- Relevant professional experience in any sector including self-employment, with the ability to share insights and networks.
- Able to manage mentoring around a busy schedule and communicate with mentee(s) reliably.
What's in it for you?
Mentoring is a powerful way to give back, but it’s also a rewarding experience for you as a professional. Whether you're early in your career or a seasoned leader, mentoring offers the chance to reflect, grow, and make a real difference.
- Make a meaningful impact by supporting students from diverse backgrounds to grow in confidence, skills, and career clarity.
- Develop your leadership, coaching, and communication skills - mentoring is a credible form of volunteering that enhances your CV and demonstrates your commitment to people development.
- Gain fresh perspectives through reverse mentoring and insights from the next generation of talent.
- Access bespoke mentor training and ongoing support from the programme team.
- Enjoy flexible volunteering - just a few hours a month, fully online via Mentorloop and designed to fit around your schedule.
- Raise your organisation’s profile and support CSR goals.
- Identify emerging talent and build your future pipeline by engaging with motivated students.
About Arden University
We are an aspirational and multi-award-winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first-choice university for career-focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education.
About Careers, Employability, Enterprise & Alumni
Since its inception in 2021, Arden University’s Careers, Employability and Alumni Team has grown into a sector-leading unit of 30 professionals, supporting a diverse, non-traditional student population of over 40,000 and over 11,000 alumni across 8 UK campuses, online and via transnational partners. Guided by data, fuelled by innovation, and embedded within university policy and curriculum development, the team has redefined careers education at Arden, taking an inclusive and strategic approach to embedding employability into the curriculum, running subject-specific pathways, and delivering co-curricular micro-internships, and live employer projects, leading to measurable improvements in student outcomes.
Our Values Stand out, Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, Kindness, reflect who we are as an institution, a team and as individuals. If they also reflect you and you are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business, we want to hear from you.
Closing Date: 14th September 2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications. In order to avoid missing an opportunity to apply please submit your application as early as possible.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
As an Equal Opportunity Employer we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Therefore, we make sure that our recruitment and selection processes never discriminate based upon people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances, and actively welcome applications from all groups.
Remote Career Mentor for Diverse Students in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Arden University
Arden University is an excellent employer for those seeking a fulfilling role in higher education, particularly in Birmingham. With a strong commitment to flexible working arrangements, competitive pay, and a supportive work culture, we prioritise employee growth and development, ensuring that our Associate Lecturers thrive in their teaching careers while making a meaningful impact on students' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Remote Career Mentor for Diverse Students in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Remote Career Mentor for Diverse Students in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like Arden University, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at Arden University.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arden University
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of Arden University and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!