Alumni news
Sussex Mentoring Stories: Elena and Adam
By: APRIL WILSON
Last updated: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Left: Mentee Elena. Right Mentor Adam.
Final year BSc Marketing and Management student Elena Khamitova joined the Global Mentoring Programme in 2025 to keep up momentum during her final year of studies after her placement year. During her time as a student Elena also took on the prestigious role as President of the Sussex Business Society. Alongside this Elena worked as a Student Ambassador for the University of Sussex Business School, representing Sussex at Open Days and informing students and alumni about the Global Mentoring Programme at the annual Careers Fair.
Her mentor Adam Tolcher studied a BA in History at Sussex, as well as a MA in Contemporary History, graduating in 2013. Since graduating, Adam has had an extensive career in B2B (business-to-business), supporting a variety of brands and agencies. He is currently working as an A&R Executive for Liberty Music PR, and his role involves discovering and nurturing up-and-coming musical talent, supporting with navigation of the industry and promotion of new releases. Outside of work, he is a keen musician and plays instruments ranging from guitar and ukulele to oboe and harmonica.
Adam and Elena met online during the 2025/26 Global Mentoring Programme and Adam said he volunteered to be a mentor because he was “keen to take the opportunity…to support others”.
Their mentoring relationship shows how our University of Sussex volunteering community help support Sussex students as they prepare to enter the job market post graduation, helping to make the connection between their academic study and the professional job market.
What made you apply for the mentoring programme?
Elena: “During my placement year at Caterpillar, I worked with a mentor and that experience showed me how valuable an outside perspective can be. They helped me explore different departments, meet new people, and understand how the company worked from angles I wouldn't have seen otherwise. When I came back to university, I wanted to keep that momentum going. I was curious about careers in marketing and sales specifically, and I also wanted to gain some international perspective, so the Global Mentoring Programme felt like a natural next step.”
Adam: “Having benefitted myself from mentoring during my education and career, I was keen to take the opportunity provided by this programme to support others. Knowing the value of support, guidance, and having someone to be able to discuss challenges or concerns with, I felt that I could give something back. This programme was a great fit as I went through similar challenges at the time as a graduate and remain connected with Sussex.”
What have you gained from your mentoring relationship?
Elena: “Adam has a really impressive background in sales across different industries, and he opened up a side of the field I hadn't seen before, especially B2B sales. He explained how sales works in practice, walked me through key concepts and terminology, and shared his international experience from working in Australia. A lot of what he taught me came up directly in interviews, which made me feel far more prepared and confident. Beyond the technical side, just having someone share real, lived experience from the industry was incredibly valuable.”
Adam: “It has been highly rewarding seeing the development of Elena’s confidence, ability, and drive. It is a privilege to be part of that journey and to have some impact towards her growth. I have also continued to build my own skills of empathy and communication.”
"Communication is key and it is important to be flexible and understanding during the process.”
Adam Tolcher (BA History 2009 and MA Contemporary History 2012)
What would you say to someone considering a mentoring relationship?
Elena: “Just try it. The worst that can happen is that you and your mentor don't quite click, and even then you've lost nothing. The best case is that you walk away with insights from someone who has actually done the job, plus connections that stay with you well beyond the programme itself. There is genuinely no downside.”
Adam: “This is a unique opportunity and absolutely one worth going for! Communication is key and it is important to be flexible and understanding during the process; whilst there are plenty of resources and great support, you can also take whatever approach best fits you both, based on the goals and situation.”
Do you have any advice for students and recent graduates thinking of approaching a mentor?
Elena: “Come prepared. Think about what you want from the relationship and what your next steps look like, because a mentor isn't there to make decisions for you. They guide, advise, and show you options you might not have considered, but the goals and the action have to come from you. If you arrive with clear questions and a willingness to apply what you learn, you'll get so much more out of every conversation. And if you feel lost, that's fine too, a good mentor can help you see paths you didn't know existed.”
Adam: “It is always worth an initial approach and conversation to see whether you are a good fit. We have all been in similar positions before and can have honest, open conversations without any judgement and talk through experiences. Curiosity is a positive mindset and come with plenty of questions!”
Did you face any challenges in the programme and how did you overcome them?
Elena: “The biggest challenge was the time difference, as Adam is based in Australia, which meant an eight hour gap between us. We just communicated openly about our schedules and found times that worked for both of us. Honestly, beyond that, we clicked from the very first meeting. We set clear goals early on and always had a reason to meet again, which made the whole thing flow naturally.”
“Having someone in my corner who understands what employers are looking for has made a real difference in how I approach interviews and how I think about my career going forward.”
Elena Khamitova (BSc Marketing and Management with a professional placement year 2022)
How did having a mentor further build on the knowledge you gained from studying your course in BSc Marketing and Management (with a professional placement year)?
Elena: “I wouldn't say it directly shaped my coursework, but it added a layer that classroom learning simply can't provide. Real world experience, industry context, and the kind of practical insight that only comes from someone working in the field every day. It complemented my degree by showing me how the theory I was learning plays out in practice.”
How did the mentoring programme make you feel reconnected to Sussex?
Adam: “Even as a (relatively!) recent graduate, I enjoy seeing and hearing about how the university has progressed, and the changes from courses to campus and beyond. I received great support from staff and teams during my time as a student and it's a pleasure to now be working alongside some of them now.”
How did taking part in the mentoring programme help your future career?
Elena: “Even though the formal programme has ended, Adam and I have stayed in touch, and he's been a huge support as I prepare for different stages of the interview process for a role I'm applying for. He knows the sales industry inside out and has been involved in hiring before, so his feedback is genuinely insightful. Having someone in my corner who understands what employers are looking for has made a real difference in how I approach interviews and how I think about my career going forward.”
While Elena and Adam met through the mentoring programme, you don’t need the University to organise mentoring relationships on your behalf. You can find your own mentor on Sussex Connect. Simply create an account, search for alumni already in the industry you’re interested in and send them a message. Make sure to look out for those who say they are ‘Willing to help’ in their profile.