Alumni news

Did you know that as a Sussex student or graduate you have access to a huge global network united by your shared experience of studying at Sussex?

Find out more about mentoring opportunities in your Sussex community

Your exclusive online networking and mentoring platform, Sussex Connect, has over 11,000 members, providing the opportunity for connections and for mentoring relationships to form across the world.

While mentoring is available on Sussex Connect all year round, this autumn term we are also offering the opportunity for Sussex students to be matched with a mentor in our structured online mentoring programme.

Find out more now and register for the programme

What are the timings for the programme?

The programme will take place between November 2024 – August 2025.

What is my commitment?

Mentors and mentees are asked to commit to meeting for a minimum of one hour per month during the programme. We encourage mentors and mentees to prepare for these meetings, which will take up approximately an additional hour of your time per month.

Please note, we will be offering training for mentors and mentees at the start of the programme, which will have an additional time commitment. There will also be extra opportunities to get involved both in person and online throughout the year.

Who can sign up?

Mentor places are open to alumni from any discipline and graduation year.

Mentee places are open to second year, third/ final year undergraduate students and postgraduate students of any discipline.

What happens if I don’t get matched with a mentee?

You will be offered the opportunity to be added to our Mentor Directory (an online directory of alumni who have indicated they are willing to mentor members of the Sussex community this year) and mentees will have the opportunity to self-select you as their mentor.

We trialled the Mentor Directory in our 2023/2024 Global Mentoring Programme and had great success with the mentors and mentees who took part in this approach.

What are the mentoring opportunities for recent graduates?

As a recent graduate you can get involved by offering to be an alumni mentor and you can also take part as a mentee to further your professional development.

Why should I sign up?

Mentoring is a powerful method of professional development, and it can benefit individuals across all job roles and functions, within any department of discipline.

“Definitely sign up. Your potential to contribute is greater than you may recognise.”

Jahmella Robinson (Economics 2008)
Alumni mentor on our 2022/23 and 2023/24 Global Mentoring Programmes.

What are the benefits of being a mentor?

By becoming a Sussex Connect mentor, you can not only improve your leadership skills and reflect on your own achievements, but you can use your valuable experience to potentially help change someone's world for the better.

“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)
Reflecting on his experience on the 2022/2023 Global Mentoring Programme

What are the benefits of being a mentee?

The Global Mentoring Programme offers the opportunity for you to prepare for life after graduation with guidance from someone who studied at Sussex too.

Being mentored by a Sussex graduate who has experience in your field of interest can have many personal and professional benefits, at any stage in your career, this includes:

• A supportive mentoring relationship in which to explore professional challenges
• Confidential and objective discussions
• New insights and the ability to view things from different perspectives
• Guidance from a more experienced career professional
• Constructive feedback that challenges you to adopt new ways of thinking
• Tailored support appropriate to your situation
• Space to think about longer term development

“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)
Reflecting on her experience with mentor Tim on the 2022/2023 Global Mentoring Programme

What support will I receive?

As a mentor or mentee on the Global Mentoring Programme, the Development and Alumni Relations team will be available for support every step of the way.

Support for Mentors

• Mentors will be invited to an initial online introduction session on 8 November, 2-3pm.
• Monthly check-in’s from the Development and Alumni Relations team.
• Regular support from our exclusive mentor group on Sussex Connect.
• A comprehensive guide to the programme with example sessions you can run with your mentee.
• Mentor Forum meetings where you can network online with your fellow mentors and ask the Alumni team any questions.

Support for Mentees

• Mentees will be invited to an introduction session to the programme on 5 November, 12-1pm.
• Monthly check-in’s from the Development and Alumni Relations team.
• Regular support from our exclusive mentee group on Sussex Connect.
• A comprehensive guide to the programme.
• A certificate for taking part in the programme, that can be highlighted on your CV.
• Exclusive mentoring events.
• Help with how to log your mentoring activities as part of the Spirit of Sussex Award.

How do I sign up?

Places on this year’s programme are open now for applications until Monday 14 October 2024.

Apply to be a mentor.
Apply to be a mentee.

Spaces on this year’s programme are limited. We encourage you to include as much information as possible on your application form to help us find you a mentoring match.

Please note that your 2024/25 Global Mentoring Programme will be hosted through Sussex Connect – if you have not already registered for Sussex Connect, it is quick and easy to set up a profile.

Remember, you are always a part of Sussex and as part of our Global Mentoring Programme you will see the benefits your Sussex network can bring.

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