General:
What happens if my mentor/mentee is not responding to my emails?
If you’ve sent a couple of emails and are not getting a response, please get in touch with the course convenor at spp.alumni@lse.ac.uk so we can check in with your mentor/mentee. There are many reasons why your partner might struggle to respond for a few weeks, but so we have full oversight of the programme and ensure that you have the best experience possible, we ask you bring any issues like this up as swiftly as possible.
We’ve also found that emails between partners can often get trapped in junk folders, so do add your partner’s email to your Safe Senders list!
I have concerns about my partnership/something happened in one of my meetings that makes me uncomfortable. How can I address this?
As with any working relationship within the LSE, all participants within the SPP Student Support Scheme are expected to conduct their relationship respectfully, and without discrimination, harassment, or bullying. To find out more about LSE’s anti-harassment policies, please check online: https://info.lse.ac.uk/Making-a-choice/LSE-policies-and-information. In the first instance please come to the course convenor at spp.alumni@lse.ac.uk so we can address any concerns.
Both mentors and mentees are reminded that you can leave the mentorship programme at any time, and we can facilitate ending a partnership if you require.
Who should be driving the meetings?
Student mentees should be getting in touch with their mentors, arranging times to meet, and setting the agenda for all meetings.
How many meetings can we hold?
We recommend three meetings of around forty-five minutes apiece. If mentors and mentees want to meet further then please do; however we remind students to be respectful of our mentors’ time and not
What should the meetings be about?
These meetings should be focussed around professional development and career progression. Students should not be asking for alumni to look at their academic work or make direct approaches relating to work shadowing, internships or job opportunities.
Mentors:
Can I apply if I live outside of London?
Because of our wonderful international community most of our mentors are based beyond London/the UK, so please do apply!
Can I mentor more than one student?
Absolutely – please just let us know at your point of registration.
I’m getting too busy for the programme; can I leave early?
Of course: however we ask that mentors let their student partner know of this and that they won’t be taking the programme forward. Please also let the course convenor know at spp.alumni@lse.ac.uk so we are aware of what’s going on.
Mentees:
I feel I’ve gotten all I can out of the partnership, but I haven’t had all three meetings. What should I do?
The academic year is getting too busy, can I finish the programme early?
Our mentees aren’t obligated to carry on the mentorship programme for the full run; however we ask all mentees in this position to respect the time their mentor has put into the programme by thanking them for their time and letting them know that they won’t be taking the programme forward. Please also let the course convenor know at spp.alumni@lse.ac.uk so we are aware of what’s going on.
What should I do if I’ve been matched with a partner and I don’t feel their career profile is a good fit for me?
With so many participants we are unfortunately unable to match everyone with someone who shares all their precise interests, however we always try to make a match where partners share some interests and experiences. We therefore recommend you have at least one meeting to see what you can get out of the programme – if this does not work out, then of course feel free to follow the above advice.