Get Involved

We run an Alumni Mentoring Scheme and are looking for alumni students (undergraduate or postgraduate) to be mentors.

• Our mentors work with students in their second or third year of their Social Policy undergraduate degree.
• The scheme’s aim is to provide them with additional insights beyond their degree and support them with the transition to employment/further education.

For further information please email Kylie Patterson at socialpolicy.alumni@lse.ac.uk

Please see testimonials below to hear about our some of our mentors and mentees experiences taking part in the Scheme.

Mentor testimonials:

I feel very fortunate being able to participate in the Alumni Mentoring Programme. As a mentor I am getting to know some fantastic students, while also being able to share advice and tips on how to approach next steps in my mentees’ careers - whether it is reviewing applications, discussing potential internship opportunities, or sharing my own experiences after graduating from the LSE. More general, it is a way for me to give back to a school that has supported my own career development greatly at the time.

Participating in the Alumni Mentoring Program has helped me stay connected to the Department of Social Policy after graduating from LSE. I greatly enjoy learning about the different experiences and interests of current students and sharing my perspective on topics like navigating the job search, networking in a virtual environment, editing CVs and resumes, and preparing for interviews. The Social Policy Department did a great job of matching me with mentees who were interested in working in a similar sector as me, so I felt like I was able to provide concrete, actionable advice to mentees based on my own experience. Throughout participating in this program, I have been impressed with the students' level of preparation for our meetings, and we typically agree on topics in advance so we can both prepare for the next session. For a small commitment of my time, I think (and hope) I have been able to help current undergraduate students prepare for their professional careers after LSE.

As an MSc Social Policy and Development alumna from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)’s Class of 2018, I had this honor of serving as a mentor for the Department of Social Policy’s Alumni Mentoring Scheme since 2020. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey over the last few years, including the recent 2025–26 cycle. I have had the privilege of supporting undergraduate students in navigating their academic choices, career aspirations, and personal development journeys. Mentoring students from diverse backgrounds has not only allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the LSE community, but has also strengthened my own abilities in communication, public speaking, problem-solving, and empathetic leadership. Seeing mentees grow in confidence and move towards their goals has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of staying connected with the Department of Social Policy. I look forward to becoming a mentor again in the coming years and continue to wish the best for the upcoming undergraduate students at the Department of Social Policy, LSE.

Maryam

It has been an enriching experience supporting students under the LSE Alumni Mentoring Programme, allowing me to give back to an institution that has been instrumental in shaping me and my career. I have seen how a few structured sessions with a student can help them explore their professional interests, interrogate potential career paths, identify relevant networks, and gain confidence to pursue their academic and work interests. Sharing my own 35 year plus journey working in global health provided valuable insights in a career in the development sector, both to the rewards and challenges. The Mentoring Programme is highly impactful, helping students prepare in a practical way for their professional life.

Priti

I really welcomed this new opportunity to give back as a mentor and I felt reconnected to LSE because of the experience. I was matched with a student whose enthusiasm, work ethic, and energy made it rewarding. It made me consider what my own NHS Trust would look for in a graduate.

Conversations about work experience, job applications and internships informed the basis of our discussions. I gained insight, as it demonstrated to me some of the challenges students face.

It was well run and I felt really supported.

Eilis

Mentee testimonials:

The Alumni Mentoring Programme was a really valuable experience for me, especially while navigating my job search and thinking about future career paths. My mentor encouraged me to reflect on the kind of work I enjoy and the areas I would like to explore further, which helped me approach applications with more confidence. It was also reassuring to have someone I could ask any questions to openly, and hearing about their own experiences made the transition from university to work feel much less daunting. I would definitely recommend the programme to other students looking for guidance, encouragement, and insight into life after university.

Anais, 3^rd Year BSc International Social and Public Policy student

My experience with the mentoring program has been very beneficial. My mentor provided invaluable insights into the civil service, offering practical advice on navigating my career path. The mentorship program was an enriching experience that I would recommend to other students.

The Alumni Mentoring Programme proved to be a transformative experience for me during my second year of university where I had no clear career goals. Having a mentor who shared a background in Social Policy at LSE was invaluable, as it provided me with unique insights into the diverse career paths available, such as consulting. Through this programme, I gained a wealth of information and first-hand experiences from my mentor, equipping me with the necessary tools to make informed decisions about my future. My mentor's guidance and expertise have not only expanded my horizons but also instilled in me the confidence to navigate the consulting industry successfully. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in the programme and for the support that has shaped my understanding and opened doors to exciting possibilities.

Going into my final year at LSE, I was unsure of what laid ahead of me. The Alumni Mentoring Programme gave me the opportunity to seek advice from someone who had been in my shoes a few years earlier in a constructive and candid way. As my mentor was abroad, we held three Skype sessions where we discussed my goals, how to build good habits, and career-specific knowledge. Throughout the experience, my mentor was very friendly and fully engaged with my queries. I felt comfortable enough to ask even the ‘silly’ questions. For me, the best thing I took from these calls was the actionable instructions I gleaned from our conversations. They helped me develop a good plan of action to make the most of my last year at LSE and set me up for post-university life. Thanks to my mentor, I have been able to secure an internship with the Cabinet Office this summer and a full-time offer from McKinsey for next year. I found this Programme to be invaluable.

The Alumni Mentoring Programme has been really useful for me, especially being in the 3rd year and still not having a clear idea of what I want to do after university. Having a mentor who has studied in the same university and department as I did was extremely helpful, as it allowed me to see and ask about the different careers that are out there for people who have studied Social Policy, like social research. I’m really glad that I joined the programme, as I now have more information and insight into first-hand experiences in the career world.

We run a series of popular alumni-student networking events such as alumni panels and networking evenings. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Kylie Patterson at socialpolicy.alumni@lse.ac.uk.

Do you have a skill, knowledge or procedure you believe would help our current students with their career aspirations? Please email Kylie Patterson at socialpolicy.alumni@lse.ac.uk to discuss.

Our alumni community is one we are immensely proud of! Social Policy alumni go on to have amazing experiences: pursuing their passions and making society a better place worldwide. They work in a wide range of sectors such as, charities/NGOs, consultancy, development, government, and research. It’s always exciting to hear what our alumni have been up to – here we highlight some of our alumni who are making an impact beyond the Department of Social Policy.

If you would like to share your story, let us know how life has been going since you left LSE and feature on our Alumni in the Spotlight series, please contact Kylie Patterson at socialpolicy.alumni@lse.ac.uk.