Alumni Mentorship Programme

From one generation to the next: connecting our students and alumni together

The EI Alumni Mentorship Programme is a great opportunity for alumni and students to connect and share professional insight.

In this programme, alumni mentors volunteer their time for a series of career conversations with an individual student, in which they share professional insights and advice. These conversations give students an insider’s perspective into their chosen career paths, preparing them for the next stage of their professional journeys.

I think this is a very useful new initiative by the EI and mentoring was a great experience for me! We got to learn more about each other’s experience as an international student at LSE and the opportunities and challenges that come with it. As a mentor, this experience allowed me to learn about how the department has evolved over the years since I graduated and take a walk down memory lane! EI has been excellent in maintaining alumni relations and this felt like a natural extension of that network, bringing together similar yet diverse experiences and career paths.

The EI Mentorship Programme was a great experience. My mentor was very supportive and helpful in discussing career goals and how to navigate the job market, and I am very grateful for his support. Hearing about my mentor's experiences and how he made career choices has been really insightful, especially when we discussed his experience at the EU. It has been very valuable for my future and my current process of finding out what to do next, after LSE. I highly recommend signing up for the mentorship programme to get support and better prepare for life after LSE.

While I aimed to provide my mentee with information and guidance on the first steps in her potential career field, I found the experience insightful for myself as well. Engaging with my mentee reminded me of my own situation seven years ago. Our discussions prompted me to reflect on my career choices and consider my future aspirations. The mentorship scheme is truly a two-way street, and I highly recommend that potential mentors sign up for this excellent opportunity.

Initially, I found myself adrift and uncertain about the direction and focus of my dissertation. However, the encounter with my mentor marked a decisive shift. Her extensive experience and deep insights were invaluable. She guided me towards embracing critical thinking and significantly redirected my academic path. Without her support, navigating the complexities of my dissertation would have been vastly more challenging, and I might not have developed a meaningful topic that significantly contributes to the field of international migration and public policy studies.

The programme is a great way to be in touch with the LSE world and give back to our school by sharing our life experiences after graduation and give guidance to LSE students on how to approach the job market or further studying opportunities. The programme is well designed and does not require heavy commitments. Former students should really apply and make the most of this experience.