Sussex Connect screen shot

Sussex Connect, the new, global, networking and e-mentoring platform for Sussex alumni (former students), recent graduates and students launched exclusively to Business School students today, before rolling out across Sussex in the New Year.

Sussex Connect is a digital platform designed to help students easily connect with alumni based all over the world, in all types of industries and professions. The majority of our alumni are willing to help as volunteer mentors and provide their career insights, knowledge and advice to students. There are already 2000 alumni members registered on Sussex Connect.

Join today using your Linked In or Facebook profiles or an email address. Business School students who sign up by 31 October will enter a prize draw to win a £25 book token.

Alumni willing to help
Alumni members on Sussex Connect offer to help students in several ways. They can:

• facilitate career networking
• answer industry specific questions
• provide short and longer term mentoring through offering advice by email, phone or webchat
• review a CV, or
• open doors in their company, for example by arranging a visit.

Some alumni may also offer to arrange work experience or a placement opportunity in conjunction with our careers service.

What is mentoring?
Alumni mentors are former Sussex students and experienced professionals who have agreed to share their skills and knowledge with mentees looking for advice. They may also be recent graduates who are willing to share top tips to gaining graduate jobs. All mentors act as a guide and support their mentee in informal one-to-one discussions, predominantly online or possibly face-to-face if both parties are based in the same town or city.

What are the benefits of having a mentor?
Mentees benefit from having an experienced person who takes the time to listen, explore and discuss specific development needs, be that career planning or expanding a personal network. In turn, mentors are able to develop their leadership and communication skills through these mentoring partnerships.

Sussex Connect mentoring toolkit
If you want to establish a formal relationship with a mentor for an agreed period of time, either online or face to face, use our best practice mentoring toolkit with a student guide and adaptable templates for mentors and mentees.

Read a Business School mentoring case study here.