DCU Career Mentorship Programme

The Mentorship Programme can support you in developing your career ideas, exploring future pathways, and building confidence in your professional development. It connects you with graduates from the DCU Alumni Community who volunteer their time to offer guidance, insights, and encouragement.

Through monthly mentoring meetings, you can:

• Develop and explore career ideas
• Learn about different career areas, occupations, and sectors
• Understand the options available with your degree
• Strengthen employability skills such as CV writing and interview preparation

You may also have the opportunity to take part in a work shadow day, where you can observe your mentor’s workplace and gain first‑hand insight into professional environments.

Mentors come from a wide range of organisations; including large Irish companies, multinationals, SMEs, family businesses, and start‑ups. Some mentors are based in Ireland, while others are located abroad, meaning mentoring meetings may take place in person, online, or a combination of both.

The programme is open to current DCU second‑year students, offering a supportive and structured way to explore career possibilities at a key stage in their degree.

Taking part in the Mentorship Programme gives you a range of practical, confidence‑building benefits that support your career development. You’ll have the chance to learn directly from a DCU graduate who can help you explore your options and understand what different career paths really look like.

By joining the programme, you can:

• Start thinking more clearly about your career ideas and future direction
• Gain a better understanding of the options available with your degree and how they link to jobs and industry sectors
• Learn what it’s actually like to work in a particular area through real conversations with your mentor
• Receive personalised support, feedback, and encouragement from someone with professional experience
• Build valuable contacts and expand your professional network
• Strengthen your CV and applications by showing clear career motivation and engagement
• Increase your confidence in decision‑making and identifying opportunities
• Develop key transferable skills such as communication, professionalism, and workplace awareness
• Get to know employers who hire DCU graduates and learn more about their expectations

These benefits help you feel more prepared, more informed, and more confident as you begin planning your future career.

The Mentorship Programme is open to current DCU second‑year undergraduate students. If you’re in your second year and interested in exploring your career ideas, building your confidence, and learning from a DCU graduate, you’re eligible to apply.

The mentors in the programme are DCU graduates from the Alumni Community who have built experience across a wide range of organisations including, large organisations, multinationals, SMEs, family businesses, and start‑ups. They have several years of professional experience and have been identified as positive role models who can offer guidance, insight, and support to second‑year students.

Some mentors are based in Ireland, while others are located overseas. This means your mentoring meetings may take place in person, online, or a combination of both, depending on your mentor’s location and availability.

The mentors are located in Ireland or overseas.

The mentors may be based overseas and your mentoring relationship may be virtual for the duration of the programme. 

Mentors are selected through the DCU Alumni Office. Each year, the Alumni Office invites graduates from the DCU Alumni Community to volunteer as mentors. 

Mentors are chosen because they have professional experience, a genuine interest in supporting students, and the ability to offer guidance, insight, and encouragement throughout the mentoring relationship.

The Mentorship Programme is an extracurricular activity, and the overall time commitment is approximately 15–20 hours between October 2026 and April 2027. This includes your mentoring meetings, preparation, reflection, and any optional activities such as a work shadow day.

Students and mentors are expected to meet once a month for at least one hour. Any additional meetings or time spent together can be agreed between you and your mentor, depending on your schedules and what you both feel would be helpful.

The programme is designed to be manageable alongside your studies, while still giving you meaningful time to explore your career ideas and build your professional skills.

September

October 

November / December

 January / February

March 

April

To apply for the Mentorship Programme, you’ll follow a simple two‑step process: complete the online information videos and then submit your application form.

Step 1: Complete the Online Information Videos

You must complete the online information videos by 30 September. Once you finish these, the application form will automatically become available to you.

Step 2: Submit Your Application Form

After completing the videos, you can access and submit the application form. Applications close on 4 October.

The form includes a small number of questions designed to help match you with the most suitable mentor. You’ll be asked about:

• Your degree, interests, modules you enjoy, work experience, and any clubs or societies you’re involved in
• Career areas you’d like to explore at this stage
• Why you want to join the Mentorship Programme
• Your top two career areas of interest

These questions help mentors understand your background and what you’re hoping to gain from the programme.

Tips for Completing Your Application

• Take time to think about your profile — this helps with matching
• Be clear about how mentoring could support your career ideas
• Be specific about the career areas you’re interested in
• Focus on job roles rather than broad industries where possible

Before You Submit

• Does your application read well?
• Have you answered each question fully and thoughtfully?
• Have you considered the mentor who will be reading your profile?
• Have you checked grammar and spelling to make a positive impression?
• Keep a copy of your form, it’s useful to refer back to if you’re matched

When you submit your application form, the information you provide (excluding your personal information such as contact details) is shared with mentors who have signed up to the programme. This allows mentors to learn about your background, interests, and career ideas so they can decide whether they feel they’re a good fit to support you.

Mentors, all DCU graduates from the Alumni Community, review student profiles on Loop and select the mentee they feel they can best support. This matching process helps create mentoring partnerships that are meaningful, relevant, and aligned with your career interests.

Once the matching process is complete, you’ll receive an introductory email connecting you with your mentor so you can begin organising your first meeting.

You’ll receive an introductory email from the DCU Alumni Office once the matching process is complete. This email will confirm your mentoring pairing and share your details with your mentor so they can get in touch.

Your mentor will then contact you directly to arrange your first meeting.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your inbox during this time, and remember to check your spam folder in case the email lands there.

This introductory email is the official start of your mentoring relationship and gives you everything you need to begin organising your first conversation.

Throughout the Mentorship Programme, you’ll take part in a mix of one‑to‑one meetings, reflective learning, and optional professional experiences. These activities are designed to help you explore your career ideas, build confidence, and develop key employability skills.

Your main activities include:

• Regular one‑to‑one meetings with your mentor: You’ll organise and meet with your mentor once a month from October to April. These meetings give you the chance to discuss your career ideas, ask questions, and get personalised guidance from a DCU graduate.
• Submitting a reflective portfolio: You’ll complete a short reflective submission (600–800 words) that demonstrates what you’ve learned through mentoring and how the experience has helped you develop your skills, confidence, and career direction.
• Optional work shadow day: You may have the opportunity to take part in a work shadow day at your mentor’s organisation. This depends on your mentor’s availability and workplace policies, and you’ll discuss together whether it can be arranged.

These activities help you make the most of your mentoring relationship and give you practical experience to support your future career planning.

You can talk about a wide range of career‑related topics with your mentor. Your conversations are flexible and can be shaped around what you need at each stage of the programme. 

Common discussion areas include:

• Career areas of interest: exploring fields you’re curious about
• Job roles and sectors: understanding what different roles involve day‑to‑day
• Options after university: including further study, graduate programmes, and early‑career pathways
• CV and LinkedIn feedback: getting personalised advice on how to present your skills and experience
• Interview skills, professional communication, and networking: practising and building confidence in key employability skills
• Key workplace skills: learning more about what employers look for and how to develop those skills
• Clarifying and working towards your career goals: setting direction and identifying practical next steps

Your mentoring meetings are a space for open, supportive conversations that help you explore your future, build confidence, and make informed decisions about your career.

During the mentoring period (October to April), you and your mentor will meet regularly to build a meaningful and supportive mentoring relationship. 

The expected commitment is:

• One meeting per month, lasting around 60 minutes between October - April (this adds up to 6 meetings)
• If you decide to meet more than once a month or for longer than 60 minutes that is to be agreed between you and your mentor
• You and your mentor can decide together which meeting pattern works best for both of you.
• Meetings can take place in person, online, or a mix of both.

If you’re meeting in person, choose a suitable and comfortable location such as:

• A space on one of the DCU campuses
• Your mentor’s workplace (if appropriate)
• A neutral public space like a coffee shop or workplace common room

The aim is to create a relaxed, professional environment where you can talk openly about your career ideas and goals.

Once you’ve been matched, you’ll receive an introductory email from alumni@dcu.ie with your mentor’s details. Mentors are asked to contact you first to arrange the initial meeting, so keep an eye on your inbox, and check your spam folder just in case the email lands there.

After your first meeting, it becomes your responsibility to organise all future mentoring meetings. As the mentee, you’re expected to take the lead in scheduling, planning, and driving the mentoring relationship. Your mentor will be waiting to hear from you, so reaching out promptly and professionally is important.

Taking ownership of the meeting schedule helps you build confidence, communication skills, and a proactive approach to your career development.

You and your mentor can choose a meeting location that feels comfortable, professional, and convenient for both of you. Meetings can take place in person, online, or a mix of both throughout the programme.

If meeting in person

You should arrange to meet in a suitable, public or professional space such as:

• A spot on one of the DCU campuses
• Your mentor’s workplace, for example a common room or meeting space
• A neutral public location like a coffee shop

These settings help create a relaxed but professional environment for your conversations.

As with any off‑campus extracurricular activity, it’s good practice to let a friend or family member know your meeting details and expected return time.

If meeting online

You can meet your mentor virtually using platforms such as Zoom, or any other video‑calling tool you both agree on. Online meetings are a flexible option, especially if your mentor is based overseas.

A good mentee is someone who is engaged, curious, and committed to making the most of the mentoring experience. The programme works best when students take an active role in their own development and approach the mentoring relationship with openness and enthusiasm.

Great mentees tend to:

• Be motivated; you’re interested in improving your career development and employability
• Be open to ideas and feedback; you’re willing to listen, reflect, and try new approaches
• Commit to the full programme; you show up, participate, and follow through from October to April
• Take ownership of your future; you use the programme to explore your career direction and build confidence
• Set clear objectives; you know what you want to achieve and work towards it throughout the mentoring period
• Be reliable and proactive; you attend planned meetings and take action on what you and your mentor agree
• Be open to learning; you absorb new language, terminology, concepts, and insights from your mentor’s experience

Being a good mentee isn’t about having everything figured out, it’s about being willing to learn, ask questions, and take small steps that move your career ideas forward.

A successful mentoring relationship is built on commitment, communication, and a willingness to take an active role in your own development. As the mentee, you play a key part in shaping the experience.

The most successful mentoring relationships happen when you:

• Take responsibility for organising meetings, setting the agenda, and clearly explaining what you hope to gain from mentoring.
• Share the career areas, job roles, and experiences you’d like to explore so your mentor knows how best to support you.
• Ask thoughtful questions, curiosity helps you get the most out of your mentor’s experience and insights.
• Respect your mentor’s time, mentors volunteer to support you, so being organised, punctual, and prepared shows appreciation and professionalism.
• Commit to your goals, whether you want to build confidence, understand a sector, or explore career options, staying focused on what you set out to achieve helps the relationship stay purposeful.
• Complete tasks you agree with your mentor, such as updating your CV, researching roles, or preparing questions, keeps momentum and shows you’re invested.

A mentoring relationship thrives when both people contribute, but it’s especially strong when the mentee is proactive, open, and committed to their own growth.

You have the option to earn a Digital Badge when you complete the Career Mentorship Programme. To receive it, you simply submit a short reflection outlining your mentoring experience and what you learned from it.

Why the Digital Badge is worth completing

• Reflect on your experience: The reflection helps you think about how mentoring has supported your growth, confidence, and career ideas.
• Showcase your skills: The badge is a piece of verifiable evidence that you took part in the programme and engaged meaningfully in a mentoring relationship.
• Stand out to employers: Adding the badge to your LinkedIn profile highlights your commitment to personal and professional development. It shows you’re proactive, reflective, and building real‑world experience, qualities employers value.

Submitting the reflection is optional, but it’s a great way to recognise your work and make your mentoring experience count.

The Careers Service will also run a training session to help you prepare your reflection and understand what to include.

"The DCU Mentorship programme was a firm highlight of my time in university. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet a professional in your area of study and learn valuable career insights, enhance employability skills, access a broad network of professionals and improve your CV."

"This programme was definitely a first step insight of a professional career and how it is to work in the public sector. Hearing from my mentor's experiences, the challenges and opportunities along the way, inspired me to work even more towards a future career and be better prepared in the sense of expectations. Also, it is a good chance to start developing those networking skills! I would definitely recommend this programme."

"A really worthwhile programme which allowed me to gather invaluable information on my career area. I would highly recommend this to every student!"

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the DCU Mentorship Programme. I found it extremely beneficial as it helped to build my self-confidence which was especially important before I began the process of securing my third year Intra Placement. Although I was paired with a mentor who was based overseas, we Skyped regularly and still keeping contact over a year later."

"Very good programme and helps with employability as it shows you have taken time out of your schedule to find out more about your career. Very good on the CV and was a talking point in all interviews. Helps you find out if you really want to go down that career path from someone who is in that field."

In the event that we need to match mentors and mentees manually, we will always aim to pair you with a mentor aligned to your interests. However, exact matches may not always be possible, and that’s completely okay.

The Mentorship Programme matches students with DCU graduates who volunteer their time and expertise. Mentors review student profiles and select mentees they feel they can support. This process has been highly successful over many years, and in some cases, the Alumni Office may complete a manual match to ensure every student is paired.

While many mentors do work in areas students are curious about, some will come from different sectors. This can actually be a major advantage. A mentor doesn’t need to work in your chosen field to help you move closer to your career goals.

Why a mentor from a different sector can still be a great fit

Your mentor can support you in ways that go far beyond sector‑specific knowledge, including:

• Exploring your career options
• Building confidence and self‑awareness
• Understanding job roles, workplaces, and early‑career pathways
• Reviewing your CV and LinkedIn
• Practising interviews and professional communication
• Giving constructive feedback
• Acting as a sounding board for your ideas and decisions

None of these require your mentor to be in your exact sector — and many students discover that the broader perspective is even more valuable.

Your mentor’s network may still open doors

Even if your mentor isn’t in your chosen field, they may know people who are. Mentors often have wide professional networks, and some may offer introductions if appropriate. Growing your own network — with a little encouragement from your mentor — can open up opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have.

Students often end up delighted with their match

Some students initially feel disappointed if their mentor isn’t from their preferred sector. But year after year, those same students report high satisfaction by the end of the programme — and many continue to stay in touch with their mentor long after graduating.

What really makes mentoring work

Successful mentoring is driven by qualities like:

• Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Curiosity
• Enthusiasm
• Openness to experience

These traits encourage your mentor to invest in you — but remember, you drive the relationship. Mentors volunteer their time, but your engagement keeps the partnership strong.

If you’re interested, you can explore Growth Mindset ideas (Carol Dweck’s research) to help you get the most from the experience.

Real growth happens outside your comfort zone

An effective mentoring relationship will challenge you, stretch you, and encourage you to think differently. That’s where the real learning happens, and it’s often where students discover unexpected strengths and new career possibilities.

The Careers Service is your main point of contact throughout the Mentorship Programme. We’re here to support you at every stage, from getting started to navigating your mentoring relationship and completing your reflection.

During the programme, the Careers Service will:

• Support all student mentees: We’re available to help with mentoring queries, documentation, and general guidance.
• Deliver an induction session: This session introduces you to the programme, outlines expectations, and helps you prepare for your first meeting.
• Address any issues that arise: If challenges come up, either flagged in the mid‑term evaluation or raised by you directly, we’ll work with you to resolve them and keep your mentoring experience on track.
• Provide your Mentoring Handbook: After matching, you’ll receive a detailed handbook covering everything you need to know, including:
  • Organising meetings
  • Understanding the mentoring partnership
  • Programme structure and process
  • Skills sessions
  • Work shadow day guidance
  • Access to the 2026/2027 Mentorship Hub on Loop
  • Reflection and the Mentorship Digital Badge
  • Mentor and Mentee of the Year Award information
  • Programme evaluation

The Careers Service is here to ensure you feel supported, confident, and well‑prepared throughout your mentoring journey.

You need to complete the online mentoring course so you have a clear understanding of what the Career Mentorship Programme involves before submitting your application. The course introduces you to the purpose of mentoring, what to expect from the programme, and the role you’ll play as a mentee.

Completing it helps you:

• Understand how the mentoring partnership works
• Decide whether the programme is the right fit for you
• Prepare to take an active role in your mentoring relationship
• Complete your application form more confidently and thoughtfully

It ensures that every student applying has the same foundation of knowledge, which helps mentors make informed choices when selecting mentees.