Mentoring at WBS: Where alumni connect, grow and give back

What does mentoring mean to you? A trusted sounding board? A supportive voice at a pivotal moment? Or a fresh perspective when you're considering your next step? Sometimes, it's a structured mentoring partnership, other times, it's a single conversation that changes the way you think. That's the power of mentoring: it can take many forms and make a difference at every stage of your career.

At WBS, mentoring is part of our culture. It's how students and alumni learn from one another, share experiences, offer support and grow together. So whether you're looking for guidance, exploring new opportunities or ready to give back as a mentor, there's a place for you in the WBS mentoring community.

On the run-up to National Mentoring Day on 27 October, we spoke to Elissa Patrick, Global Alumni Community Manager at WBS, to find out more.

"At WBS, we believe some of the most valuable learning happens through people. When our community shares experience, knowledge and encouragement, it creates opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom and across entire careers.

"One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing those connections come to life. Alumni give back by sharing their time, expertise and insight to support students and fellow graduates, and I'm equally inspired by those who actively seek these opportunities out. It takes real curiosity and self-awareness to invest in your own development by learning from others, and that's something we see across the WBS community every day."

Why mentoring matters

"Mentoring helps people build confidence, test ideas, expand their networks and navigate key moments. For mentors, it's equally valuable, an opportunity to reflect on their own path and contribute to a community that has supported them."

"Mentoring at WBS is brought to life by our alumni volunteers. Drawing on decades of professional expertise across industries, geographies and leadership levels, alumni mentors support students and fellow graduates by sharing insights, challenging thinking and helping others navigate key decisions and opportunities.”

Nick Jessett, MBA alum, Executive Coach and Board Advisor, brings more than 50 years of experience in aerospace and consultancy to his role as a WBS mentor: "I have been privileged to work with world-class leadership teams who promote coaching and mentoring as a key element of their people development programmes. Having recognised the benefits of being mentored in my early career, I have made it an ongoing priority to share my experience with a wide range of individuals."
Nick Jessett, Director, NED, Strategy & Leadership Consultant, Board Advisor, Executive Coach & Keynote Speaker.

WBS mentee and MSc alum Sophia Bai, describes how her mentoring relationship helped her to get to the root of how she thinks and works: “The most valuable aspects of my mentoring experience were not directly related to technical career skills, but rather to personal development and self-discovery. My mentor encouraged me to explore how the human mind works, how our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviour, and how we can develop greater mental resilience, self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Greater self-awareness has helped me communicate more effectively, remain composed under pressure and approach challenges with a more balanced mindset.”
Sophia Bai, Senior Advisor, Family Office Solution at Panthera International Asia Capital

Finding the right support, at the right time

Mentoring isn't one-size-fits-all. Depending on where you are in your career and what you need, there are different ways to connect with the WBS community.

Mentor Partnerships
A structured 12-month mentoring relationship that provides dedicated support, guidance and accountability. Mentor Partnerships are designed for those looking to work towards longer-term personal or professional goals with the support of an experienced WBS alumni mentor.

Mentor Boost
Sometimes a long-term mentoring commitment isn't what's needed. Instead, a fresh perspective, practical advice or an informed sounding board can make all the difference. Mentor Boost connects participants with an experienced WBS alumni mentor for a focused 45-60 minute conversation, helping them navigate a specific challenge or explore an opportunity. Speak to your Careers Coach for more details.

Mentor Connect
Designed to support agile, accessible and self-directed mentoring, Mentor Connect enables students and alumni to make direct connections with Warwick and WBS alumni through the University's dedicated mentoring platform. Creating meaningful professional relationships that develop according to individual needs and interests. Find out more here.

Elissa adds: "This National Mentoring Day, we want to thank our alumni volunteers for the time, insight and encouragement they bring to our community. The impact of mentoring is often felt long after a conversation ends, and those connections are what continue to make the WBS community stronger."

Find out more about volunteering and mentoring here.