The impact of Covid has fallen especially heavily on students and recent graduates. Oxford Brookes responded flexibly and quickly to minimise disruption to courses but the job market has become even more challenging.
We are determined to support all our hard working students and recent graduates to launch the careers they deserve and help them play a positive role in shaping a post-Covid society. And alumni can play a huge role.
Mentoring
Brookes Connections is a mentoring scheme available to all students, regardless of what they are studying, to connect with alumni in professional roles. It complements mentoring schemes for specific subject areas including real estate, hospitality management and sports coaching.
We know how significant mentoring can be to a student’s future. And also the tremendous sense of satisfaction it can bring to mentors.
“For those students who don’t have connections to the industry, a mentor can make a big difference and really help. I had such a positive experience at Brookes that I am more than happy to put a little back. It is a super way to keep in touch, meet dynamic and motivated young professionals, and to maintain a link with one of the best universities in the world!”
Andrew Hynard ’81, Chief Executive of Howard de Walden Estates and mentor on Oxford Brookes Real Estate Management Society’s mentoring scheme
As well as providing invaluable support to students and recent graduates, Brookes Connections also enables you to network with fellow alumni. We will be launching a new mentoring programme in the autumn, so look out for an email with details of how to get involved – or to sign up to the scheme now, visit www.brookesalumni.co.uk/brookesconnections
Giving back - to shape the future
Other ways of giving back include providing work placements for students or internships for recent graduates at your business. Giving a talk is a great way to give current and prospective students an insight into the kinds of careers that their course might lead to. And alumni are the University’s best advocates - we regularly need volunteers to speak with prospective students at international recruitment fairs and at other events over the year.
We are also keen to hear from you if you have other ideas of how you can give back. For instance, it may be that your old University department is looking for alumni with specific experience to share with students. John Steel ‘89 explains why he chose to give back:
“My education at Oxford Brookes has been fundamental to my business success and I am very keen to give back from what I have subsequently learned and achieved. I’m looking forward to sharing my experience and perspectives on the role of business in the 21st century, challenging and being challenged by engaging with the university and those associated with it, and helping to shape the educational agenda to be progressive, distinctive and relevant.”
John Steel ‘89, CEO of CafeDirect and Visiting Industrial Fellow at Oxford Brookes Business School
However you choose to give back, your support can help ensure that Brookes students and recent graduates don’t merely get through the Covid pandemic but are at the forefront of building a better future for us all.
Sign up for Brookes Connections at www.brookesalumni.co.uk/brookesconnections
or contact us by email at alumni@brookes.ac.uk