Objective:
- To support students' personal development
- To support the development of students intra and extra-curricular projects and enterprises.
- To provide students with opportunities to develop ideas, take actions and reflect on progress.
- To assist students in identifying and exploiting networks and support available to them.
Introduction:
At Glyndwr University, every student and graduate is offered the support of a dedicated mentor to support them in their enterprising endeavours, facilitated through the University's ZONE Enterprise Hub (this mentoring has been both core funded by the institution, and supported through the pan-Wales HEFCW funded Enterprise Support Programme).
Figure 1: ZONE Enterprise Hub at Glyndwr University
In the period July 2014 – July 2015, 158 such mentoring appointments were conducted, supporting the creation and development of 40 new businesses.
This mentoring takes many forms, and plays a vital role in students' development in a number of ways. This can range from supporting the development of clear and original ideas, to facilitating effective reflection and evaluation on progress, to providing specific contacts and information to address aproblem, or exploit an opportunity.
This mentoring has been delivered one-to-one, and one-to-many, sometimes as a standalone occurrence, and sometimes developing into relationships that persist for a considerable length of time.
Beneficiaries of this mentoring service have come from all programmes and levels of study, with enquiries ranging from looking to launch businesses, to requiring support with enterprising projects related to their academic study, to those looking for broader personal development.
The following is an indicative example of how the mentoring service has been utilised by one such student.
Activity:
Mentee - Animal Studies – Recent Graduate
Figure 1. The ZONE Enterprise Hub at Glyndwr University
A recent graduate from the University's BSc (Hons) Animal Studies Programme used the mentoring service, looking for support in starting up her own businesses, a pet sitting service for exotic animals.
The graduate had excellent subject knowledge, from her academic study and associated work experience, and had developed a business plan, but required support with the formalities of turning the idea into a real business.
Through conversation in the mentoring environment, the specific needs of the graduate were identified, allowing each of these needs to be addressed in turn. This was inclusive of providing web links and written information regarding business registration and tax obligations and introductions to businesssupport and professional advisors available within the area where her new business would be operating. All of these were sourced from ZONE Enterprise Hubs existing networks with various regional and national business support organisations.
Following the initial appointment, it proved impractical for the graduate to engage in further face-to-face appointments, but via social media engagement and email correspondence, additional support and development opportunities were shared and discussed.
Impact:
The graduate opted not to launch her business in the short term, but to pursue the full time, industry relevant employment she currently held. However, the mentoring intervention left her better equipped with knowledge and understanding of the actions required to start-up when the moment was right for her, and the post-mentoring continued engagement via email and social media platforms ensured that, as a direct result of mentoring, the graduate had numerous opportunities to engage in further personal and business development.
Resources:
For further examples of mentoring, see Education Studies and Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies.
References:
Zone Enterprise Hub. 2015. [ONLINE] Available at:
Author:
With thanks to ZONE Enterprise Hub, Glyndwr University