The IDS Alumni Network Mentoring and Advice Programme facilitates formal kinds of mentoring relationship with the intention of helping participants to develop professionally. There are three schemes through which we facilitate mentoring relationships in the alumni network.

1. Ask-an-Alum - an online tool for one-off advice from an IDS alum
2. Matched Mentoring - a 6-month, 1-on-1 mentoring relationship, matched based on expertise and/or experience
3. Group Mentoring - a 6-month mentoring relationship between one mentor and a group of mentees

Regardless of which path you choose, we hope these guidelines will help support you to establish a successful, structured, and effective mentoring relationship, whether as a mentee or mentor.

Aims and Objectives of IDS Alumni Network Mentoring & Advice Programme

The goal of the IDS Alumni Network Mentoring and Advice Programme is to contribute to the professional development of IDS alumni and students. Through mentoring, mentees can develop new skills and strengths through self-reflection and development, making them better equipped to deal with professional challenges and contributing to career success.

While the focus is on the mentee, the mentor also benefits from the relationship. Mentoring provides an opportunity to share knowledge, exchange ideas, develop leadership skills, and a feeling of satisfaction from supporting a student or alum of IDS.

1. Ask-an-Alum

Ask-an-Alum is a tool for alumni and students to request advice on a variety of topics from an IDS Alumni Network Online Mentor. Examples of support include CV revisions, interview preparation, PhD applications, and more.

Ask-an-Alum creates a space for impactful knowledge sharing, without the pressure to develop a long-term relationship. However, it can also act as a trial for a new 1-on1 mentoring relationship and help broaden networks. The amount of support can be individually agreed as most useful.

Discover more about Ask-an-Alum

Find an online mentor now

2. IDS Alumni Network Matched Mentoring

The Matched Mentoring scheme is a one-on-one, traditional model of mentoring. In this type of mentoring, the mentor has more experience in an area that the mentee is interested in, and acts as an advisor. Examples of areas a mentor can support with include e.g. career direction or leadership development.

While the focus is on the mentee, the mentor also benefits by developing leadership skills, learning new perspectives and ideas, and from a sense of satisfaction at supporting a student or recent graduate of IDS, helping to shape the future leaders of global development.

Mentor and mentee matches are made by the IDS Alumni Office and a Mentoring Specialist. Each matched pair is expected to meet at least once a month for the course of 6 months. The number and length of sessions can be individually agreed as most useful, but must meet this minimum. Both mentees and mentors must attend a Mentoring Workshop prior to starting the mentoring relationship.

Matching is done twice a year, in October and February.

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3. IDS Alumni Network Group Mentoring

Group Mentoring is a type of mentoring in which one mentor works with a group of mentees. The mentor has has an area of expertise to share, and mentees will have unique personal and professional development goals.

This format brings in various perspectives and experiences, allowing for mutual learning, collaboration, and networking. The group meets once a month for 6 months.

Discover more about Group Mentoring 

4. Support available

Mentors

• We offer bi-annual Mentoring Skills Workshops with a specialist for all alumni interested in mentoring. Event invitations are sent out closer to the dates (usually February and May) and advertised on our events page.
• Group for Mentors - here you will find resources for mentors, upcoming events, and a discussion forum.
• Alumni Relations Office support. You can book a 30 minute slot to talk about being an Online Mentor for Ask An Alum or Matched Mentor applications. For anything else email us at alumni@ids.ac.uk.

Mentees

• All our resources to help mentees get the most out of our Alumni Network Mentoring & Advice Programme are on the Mentoring & Careers Page.
• Alumni Relations Office support. You can book a 30 minute slot to talk about Ask An Alum or Matched Mentor applications. For anything else email us at alumni@ids.ac.uk.

What is mentoring?

Role of mentor and mentee

IDS Alumni Network Mentoring & Advice Programme Guiding Principles