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.
Alumni and students register for the programme in the Autumn Term: after which point we pair mentors and mentees based on experience, shared interests, and goals. We then ask that our alumni commit to meeting the students at least three times over the course of the academic year, either in person or online.
During these meetings, students are encouraged to ask the alumni questions about their career and professional insights. We ask that alumni answer questions to the best of their ability, provide feedback and encouragement, and provide relevant advice and insights based on their own knowledge.
The mentoring programme is set up to support EI students: to enable them to access in-depth personal experience into the workplace that they might not always be able to obtain. Many of our students are already looking towards next professional steps after graduation, and the support of our alumni not only encourages them in these next steps but also helps them work out career goals and gives practical insight into applications and development. Although primarily set up for students, our alumni mentors have found that the programme is beneficial for them as well: not only as a CV-boosting exercise, but as a way of connecting with the next generation of professionals and analysing their own career aspirations.
Step One- Applications and joining the programme
In November participants apply to the programme and are matched according to shared interests and needs.
Step Two- Introductions
In December, mentors and mentees are introduced to each other via email. Students then contact alumni via email to introduce themselves and arrange the first meeting.
Step Three- Begin Mentoring
Meetings normally take place between January-April. During the first meeting students and alumni establish the contact moving forward, as well as expectations from both alumni and student. This is followed by another 2-3 meetings
Step Four- Feedback
At the end of the programme, alumni and students will be contacted by the EI alumni team and invited to give feedback to support the scheme’s development.
For more information on the Alumni Mentorship programme please read our detailed guide:
As an EI alum, you’re uniquely placed to offer students:
Insights professional life, particular sectors/industries and career paths
Support and advice that builds confidence and personal growth
Practical insights that make the graduate job market less daunting
A chance to reflect on own achievements and career development.
An opportunity to develop interpersonal skills in supporting students.
Satisfaction from helping students increase their confidence and progress with their career goals.
A chance to build strong links with future policy professionals, as well as with the EI itself.
Develop your own coaching skills.
Registrations for the 2025/26 Alumni Mentorship Programme have now closed. We thank you for your interest and hope you will be able to join us for the 2026/27 programme.
While we will endeavour to match mentors and mentees whose interests align, this will not be possible in all cases. Depending on availability, it may not be possible to assign a mentor to all students interested in the scheme. In these cases, we will seek to find other ways for you to connect with alumni on an ad-hoc basis. Thank you for your understanding.
Testimonials
This is a very useful new initiative by the EI and mentoring was a great experience for me! 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. Hearing about my mentor's experiences and how he made career choices has been 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.
