June to October
- June - Recruitment: Applications open for Mentors
DCU Alumni
DCU Graduate to Student Mentorship Programme
Introduction
The DCU Graduate to Student Mentorship Programme, formerly known as the DCU Structured Mentorship Programme, won the prestigious IITD National Training Award for Excellence in Coaching and Mentoring for 2018 and was shortlisted as a finalist in 2020 and 2021. It is a joint initiative, co-organised by the Alumni Office and the Careers Service. The programme runs for six-months between November and April and pairs second-year students with alumni mentors for the purpose of career and professional development. Alumni and students are matched based on their areas of professional expertise, DCU course and areas of interest. Alumni mentors are asked, if possible, to provide their student mentee with a work-shadowing day as part of the programme. We appreciate that this may not be possible for everyone.
The role of the mentor is to contribute to the transformative student experience at DCU by assisting the development of a second year student. Through the Graduate to Student Mentorship Programme our graduates give back to Dublin City University through time, experience and expertise. In return, the programme provides a range of benefits that can be captured on the Mentor’s CV.
To gain further insight into being a Mentor and to read Frequently Asked Questions, click here
- Increase your confidence and motivation
- Develop leadership and management qualities
- Engage in a volunteering opportunity, valued by employers
- Benefit from a sense of fulfilment and personal growth
- Reverse mentoring from student
- Enhance your CV
Students and mentors make contact based on their own schedules and timetables. Time commitments for the programme are very flexible. As a general rule, we would ask graduates to make contact with their mentee twice a month for the duration of the programme (November to April).
The programme involves five main events / activities. Mentors are not required to attend all events, but we would ask both mentors and mentees to attend the opening ceremony/training session and the closing ceremony.
We are aware that it is not always possible for alumni to provide a work-shadowing day. In this circumstance, we would ask graduates to organise an extended session with their student mentee to focus on career progression, interview or CV skills, presentation skills or similar.
Interested in mentoring a DCU student as part of the 2024-2025 Mentorship Programme
Submissions for this year's programme are now open!
We will be contacting all applicants in October with programme information and key dates.
If you have any queries please contact DCU Alumni by email alumni@dcu.ie. We look forward to hearing from you.
To receive further mentorship updates from the Alumni Office or to share a query, update your details on the DCU Keep in Touch campaign or email alumni@dcu.ie
The 2024 Mentor of the Year was Jason McCormac (collected on his behalf by his mentee James Prestage) and Mentee of the Year was Oliwia Piesiak
Hear more about the experiences of being a mentor in this interview with Rob Costello, DCU Mentor of the Year 2022, in conversation with fellow mentor Ciara Cronin.
2024/2025 Structured Mentorship Programme Schedule
October
- October - Welcome email to Mentors from the Alumni Office
- 17th to 19th October - Mentee Careers Service Information Sessions
- 17th to 20th October - Matching Process: Mentor/ Mentee matching selection via the portal
- 23rd October - Email from the Alumni Office to unmatched Mentors
- 18th to 24th October - Mentor/ Mentee introductory email sent by the Alumni Office
- 20th Oct to Nov 1st - Initial Mentor/ Mentee introductory meeting
November
- 9th November - Opening Ceremony
December/ January/ February
- Mentee Work Shadowing
- Progress and work shadow survey
- Career Skills Session for Mentees
March
- Nominations Open for Mentor and Mentee of the Year Awards
April
- Tuesday, 9th April 2024 - Closing Ceremony at DCU
- Mentor and Mentee of the Year Presentations