Department of Accounting and Finance's mentoring partnership with Ofgem
Strathclyde Business School's Department of Accounting and Finance has been working with Ofgem, the GB energy regulator, since October 2023 to deliver a Mentoring Programme designed to help students plan and prepare for the transition into their professional careers.
The first pilot programme offered 12 accounting and finance students 20 hours of career-focused support with a nominated Ofgem mentor, preparing them for the world of work.
The students involved in the programme were recently invited to a social event at Ofgem's Glasgow office to celebrate the success of the programme. Both students and their mentors shared their mentoring experiences while senior Ofgem staff and Professor Andrew Marshall gave speeches on the role and importance of mentoring. They also thanked all the Ofgem mentors and the administration staff in the Department of Accounting and Finance for the hard work in getting this programme started.
Kamil Mimi Lahlou, who is doing Joint Honours Finance and Accounting, said, "This mentoring programme has been an incredibly valuable experience, especially during my challenging third year as a final-year Accounting and Finance student. With personalised guidance, my mentor, Pauline, offered crucial support during key moments such as my internship search, interviews, and stress management. Her tailored advice and relatable insights made a real difference in my journey. I’m deeply grateful to Pauline, as well as to Ofgem, Vandana, and the University for providing this fantastic opportunity, which I believe should be expanded for future students.”
Pranavi Mallan, third year undergraduate Finance student, said, “Being a mentee has been a transformative journey. My mentor's advice on public speaking, time management and conflict resolution were shared as actionable steps that had an immediate positive effect. I encourage anyone thinking about participating in the programme to apply and see where this opportunity takes them!”
Overall, the programme been a fantastic success, and the department looks forward to continuing their partnership with Ofgem in the coming year. The next run of the Mentoring Programme begins in October 2024 and will allow more accounting and finance students the opportunity to prepare for their future careers with the guidance of an Ofgem mentor.
Published: 30 October 2024
