Hospitality Students make the most of Mentoring Opportunities

The University of Brighton is working with The Springboard Charity to link undergraduate International Hospitality Management students with mentors.

The Hospitality Undergraduate Mentoring Scheme was established in 2009 and offers the opportunity for students to be supported with the expertise and experience that members of the industry possess. Students are mentored for three years and have access to professionals from various areas of the hospitality industry to broaden their career aspirations and provide support, encouragement and ideas during their studies and beyond.

Our first group of students have been matched to mentors who include:

• Judy Kent, HR Manager, Hyde Park Residence
• Miles Pooley, Chief Executive, Royal Air Force Club
• Ross Paton, General Manager, Marriott Hotels
• Niels Sherry, General Manager, 67 Pall Mall
• Paul Watson, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Battersea
• Selina Garney, Head of HR, Le Pan Quotidien
• Stephanie Cadogan, Talent Development Manager, WHS Limited

Student Johanna Oehman, who has been matched with Miles Pooley at the Royal Air Force Club, said: “I wanted to join the Mentoring Programme because of all the opportunities it would allow and all the future contacts I would make.

“I believe it is a great opportunity to have someone to guide you and share insight about the hospitality industry with the strong expertise the mentor already holds. I believe my mentor can help me to understand what the characteristics of a great leader are and what it takes to be successful.

“The mentoring programme has provided me with an amazing and successful mentor. And, already within a month, my mentor arranged a placement interview for me with a fantastic hospitality organisation, which turned out to be successful.”