Mentoring stories

Left: Mentee Emily Hyatt at her graduation ceremony. Right: Mentor Timothy Stannard

Recent graduate Emily Hyatt (History 2019) and alumnus Tim Stannard (International Relations and French 1991) began their mentoring relationship on Sussex Connect as part of the 2022/2023 Global Mentoring Programme.

Tim is currently Managing Editor for beIN SPORTS USA, a leading sports television network. He graduated from Sussex in 1995 and now lives in the US.

Emily applied for the Global Mentoring Programme in her final year of study at a time where she was unsure what creative career path she wanted to go down but knew that she wanted to work abroad one day.

Tim and Emily met online throughout the programme and Emily said that she “gained a lot of reassurance and amazing advice” from their mentoring relationship. As a mentor, Tim said, "it helped me understand how the working world now is completely different to when I began my post-Sussex life.”

What made you apply for the mentoring programme?

Emily: "It had many qualities that were beneficial for me. I was in my final year and I didn’t know what creative career path to go down but I knew that I wanted to work abroad. Therefore, I wanted a mentor that worked overseas and to find out how they got onto that journey."

Tim: "I very much wanted to reconnect with Sussex after many years away. I wanted to give something back to a university which had given me so many good memories. I also wanted to share what I could about a personal career journey which started in one area and moved into something completely different, all largely unplanned. While I certainly don't have all the answers, I felt I could share what I've learned over the years, especially in navigating the world of media, which is my current role."

"Tim pushed for me always to follow my heart and do what is best, rather than what people expect from me.” 

Emily Hyatt (History 2019)

What have you gained from your mentoring relationship?

Emily: "A lot of reassurance and amazing advice. In my first session I shared all my extra-curricular work with my mentor and they reassured me that I was doing well. The fact that my mentor acknowledged my work and said I was doing better than he did at my age made me feel much better. He reassured me that everything was okay and I did not need to worry. Additionally, he gave me some amazing advice that helped me realise my worth and what I wanted in an employer. Tim pushed for me always to follow my heart and do what is best, rather than what people expect from me."

Tim: "I gained so much, even after just one year. It helped me understand how the working world now is completely different to when I began my post-Sussex life. Also, it felt rewarding to think that perhaps I may have helped someone at the start of their working life, even in just a small way. I attend a lot of meetings at work each week, but the monthly one with my mentee was one that I actually looked forward to!"

What would you say to someone considering a mentoring relationship?

Emily: "I would say just do it because there are no downsides to this programme. I know people who joined and they were able to connect with their mentor on LinkedIn and even become good friends. After graduating, it’s quite difficult to find brilliant programmes like this so the fact that Sussex is offering this is an amazing opportunity that you can’t waste."

Tim: "For someone considering being a mentee, don't overthink it. Don't think 'what will I get from it?', 'how long will it take?', 'what if it goes nowhere?'. Say yes and see where it takes you. For those thinking about being a mentor, don't underestimate what you have learned over the years, even the decisions that didn't turn out so well in the end. Let someone else learn from your path."

It felt rewarding to think that perhaps I may have helped someone at the start of their working life, even in just a small way.” 

Tim Stannard (International Relations and French 1991) 

 Do you have any advice for recent graduates and students thinking of approaching a mentor?

Emily: "Tell yourself that you can do anything and get everything you want. With this programme, you don’t need to come with notes ready to ask or come with expectations. But it’s handy to know what key goal you have in mind. Your mentors are happy to help you in any way possible – figure out what you want or need and message them!"

Tim: "Think carefully on what you want from the scheme and go for it. Whether it ends up being just one session with a mentor as a sounding board, or many in a more structured relationship, make the process work for you."

While Emily and Tim met through the Global Mentoring Programme, you don’t need the University to organise mentoring relationships on your behalf. You can find your own mentor on Sussex Connect. Simply create an account, search for alumni already in the industry you’re interested in and send them a message. Make sure to look out for those who say they are ‘Willing to help’ in their profile.

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