First-Generation Students: What Mentoring Can Do for You
Why Mentoring?
To put it mildly, university life is difficult. It’s a huge change in your social environment, often a move away from home and support systems, with new academic and financial pressures. But as a first-generation student, these difficulties can be exacerbated. Not having a role model to look up to, or a friendly face to turn to when you have questions, adds an extra barrier to every stage of your university experience. These effects can last long into your career. With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that first-generation students are more likely to drop out of university than those with graduate parents.[1]
The University of Southampton reported that first-generation students often have difficulty selling their unique skill sets and would benefit greatly from support and resources to increase self-awareness and self-reflection skills[2]. Selling yourself is a vital part of career building, it is advantageous to have graduate parents for soft skills such as these. First gens are often left behind on the field with little idea of where to find the support to catch up. Feeling one step behind is not a unique experience, but mentorship could be the solution. Mentorship can fill many of the gaps created by being a first-generation student, providing guidance or advice throughout the most pivotal moments at university, and beyond. You may find yourself surprised, just as I was, at the knowledge available through your peers and network.
Types Of Mentoring
Mentoring can take many different forms and will look different for everyone, so it’s important to consider what you want to gain from your experience and what style will benefit you the most. Even if you are unsure of your career path, it’s important to consider these factors as best as you can. Here are my top 3 questions to ask yourself.
1. What kind of help are you looking for?
If you’re looking for social advice and academic guidance while you settle at university, it may be best to pursue guidance from a second-year or third-year student. However, if you want help breaking into a particular industry, an individual working in that sector will be better able to help. Consider your long-term goals from the outset.
2. What kind of approach will work best?
Do you want a confidant-style relationship, to aid you with university life, and help you build soft skills? Or are you looking to build your professional network and industry knowledge, with insights and advice from sector-specific experience? This is important to ensure the most out of your experience.
3. What content do you want in each session?
If you are sure of the skills you are hoping to develop and the questions you want to ask, you may need less structuring and guidance during your sessions. Experienced mentors will be more useful for those who are unsure how to get the most out of their mentor sessions and are more open-minded in the approach. Group sessions are also a useful and viable option to meet those with similar goals. Regardless, try planning out the content you are looking for in order to keep the time focused.
Where to Start?
You should start first by looking in close proximity and building outwards. Not all mentors go by such a formal label. Despite the characteristic lack of support networks attached to the First gens label, you may have individuals close to you that can offer knowledge. Peer networks can provide mutually beneficial relationships as well as lasting friendships. My own housemate provided a wealth of knowledge and information on further education, the information that I was missing, as well as the opportunity to aid in projects and endeavours in return.
Your university may be one of many that offer formal peer mentoring programmes. These can involve regular meetings with an experienced student, completing set exercises or tailored tasks. These sessions can also be a great opportunity to chat about personal or relevant issues. Peer mentoring can broaden your exposure and smooth the transition to university. If your place of study doesn’t offer a programme that you feel meets your needs, there is an abundance of other mentoring platforms available, such as Young Women’s Trust or The Mentoring Club.
It’s also important to remember that mentors do not have to be allocated to you as part of a programme. University employability events such as careers fairs can be a great way to find connections in person, and platforms such as LinkedIn are powerful tools for building connections with like-minded individuals in sectors of interest. If you have a specific career in mind that you want to work towards, approaching an experienced individual within the industry may be more useful to you. If there is an individual you feel you could learn from, approach them in person and ask to exchange LinkedIn profiles, approach them online and ask to connect, or try finding them through alumni networks or company profiles. Use similar backgrounds or interests to start a conversation and build a connection.
Being a Mentor
Although you may feel guidance or advice are not what you need, you can still get involved; becoming a mentor yourself can be incredibly beneficial. Not only can it assist you in developing your social and professional network, but no matter where you are in your life, there are always skills you can communicate or someone’s experiences that can influence you. Being a mentor is a great opportunity to pass on knowledge to a fellow first-generation student while learning new skills and adding to your CV. Some mentor organisations even provide you with the opportunity to gain a mentor qualification. If being a mentor is something that interests you, sign up for an online mentoring site or a university mentoring scheme. It could even be as simple as adding to your LinkedIn bio to let people know you are happy to be contacted should they need advice.
Either way, use this information, and get started today!
[1] https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/news/first-generation-female-graduates-face-economic-disadvantage
[2] https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiA5u2Gjvz6AhUHEcAKHThmDSwQFnoECBAQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fluminate.prospects.ac.uk%2Fmedia%2Fe2a0df44-6129-4504-92c4-214ca7a2e437%2Fchallenges-faced-by-first-generation-university-students.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3nXnhX8eyZday4htBx7PNL