At a Glance
- Tasks: Guide students through career paths and share your industry insights.
- Company: Join Arden University, a progressive and inclusive institution.
- Benefits: Flexible online mentoring, enhance your CV, and make a real impact.
- Other info: Enjoy a rewarding experience while developing your leadership skills.
- Why this job: Empower diverse students and help them achieve their career goals.
- Qualifications: No prior mentoring experience needed, just a passion for helping others.
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. As part of our Access & Participation Plan, 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.
There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines, forge worldwide partnerships, and expand our locations.
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.
Arden’s Careers, Employability & Alumni team is dynamic, supportive, and forward-thinking. We empower students and graduates with personalised guidance, curriculum embedded careers education, and strong employer and alumni networks. Recently shortlisted for national awards, we’re a growing team making a real difference to student success and graduate 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.
There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines and locations.
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
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Volunteer Career Mentor in Manchester 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 Volunteer Career Mentor in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or other platforms. Let them know you're looking for opportunities, and don't hesitate to ask for introductions to people in your desired field.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and role thoroughly. Think about how your experiences align with what they’re looking for, and be ready to share specific examples that showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family. This will help you get comfortable with common questions and refine your answers, making you feel more confident when it’s the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Career Mentor in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for mentoring and how your experiences have shaped your desire to help students.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and goals of the ACE Mentoring Programme. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that align with supporting students from diverse backgrounds, as this will show us you’re a great fit!
Show Your Commitment:We’re looking for enthusiastic mentors who are genuinely committed to helping students succeed. In your application, emphasise your willingness to dedicate time and effort to mentoring, and how you plan to engage with your mentees.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of all applications and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity to make a difference.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arden University
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the ACE Mentoring Programme and its goals. Familiarise yourself with the challenges faced by students from priority groups and think about how your experience can help them. This will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
During the interview, let your passion for mentoring shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to helping others succeed. This will resonate well with the interviewers and demonstrate that you’re the right fit for their inclusive culture.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Have a few questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the training and support provided for mentors or how success is measured within the programme. This shows that you’re engaged and thinking critically about how you can contribute.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity is key! Be open about your background and experiences, and don’t hesitate to discuss any challenges you've faced. The interviewers are looking for mentors who can connect with students on a personal level, so being genuine will help you stand out.
