Sign up now to join our alumni mentoring community
By: APRIL WILSON
Last updated: Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Mentee Tony (left) with his mentor Nazy sat next to him at the Helena Normanton Legacy Afternoon tea. Next to them both sits Chevening Scholar Hasti. Tony and Nazy took part in the 2025/26 Global Mentoring Programme.
Did you know that as a Sussex student or graduate you have access to a huge global professional network of University of Sussex alumni who are industry experts?
Your exclusive professional networking platform, Sussex Connect, has over 14,000 members. With many of our experienced alumni eager to help, this platform provides a fantastic opportunity to build connections and for mentoring relationships to develop across the world. And the best part is that you both already share the connection of having studied at Sussex!
Sussex Connect is a self-service mentoring platform where students and alumni connect online all year round independently. Alongside this, the alumni team run a structured annual programme called the Global Mentoring Programme, which offers extra support to both mentors and mentees.
This year’s Global Mentoring Programme is open now for applications and will begin in October 2026.
Register here for the introductory event
Interested in joining the Global Mentoring Programme but want to find out more? Join us at our online event for potential mentors and mentees on Thursday 27 August 2026, at 5 - 6pm. During the session you will find out more about the benefits of a mentoring relationship, hear from past participants and find out more about Careers and Entrepreneurship support available to you.
Find out more now and register for the programme
What are the timings for the programme?
This year the programme will take place between October 2026 – April 2027.
What is my commitment?
Mentors and mentees are asked to commit to meeting for a minimum of one hour per month during the programme. We encourage mentors and mentees to prepare for these meetings, which will take up approximately an additional hour of your time per month.
Please note, we will be offering an introduction session for mentors and mentees at the start of the programme, which will have an additional time commitment.
We will also in our mentoring guidance advise that pairs meet twice in their first month on the programme together, however, please note this is optional and not required.
Who can sign up?
Mentor places are open to alumni from any discipline and graduation year.
Mentee places are open to second year, third/ final year undergraduate students, placement year students and postgraduate students of any discipline. The programme is also open to recent graduates from the University of Sussex (anyone who has graduated within the last three years from Sussex).
What happens if I don’t get matched with a mentee?
Unfortunately, places on this year’s Global Mentoring Programme are limited so we may not be able to match everyone that applies. However, we will keep your information on file, and you will be the first person we contact if a spot becomes available or if a mentee contacts us asking for support throughout the year.
What happens if I don’t get matched with a mentor?
If we’re not able to find you a mentoring match on this year’s Global Mentoring Programme, don’t panic, it is really easy to find your own mentoring match on Sussex Connect:
- To get started, the first place you want to go to on Sussex Connect is the Directory. Here you can send mentors a message introducing yourself and seeing if they would be willing to be your mentor (be sure to filter by those ‘Offering mentoring’). We'd recommend using the search bar to filter by key search terms (for example, ‘journalism’, ‘engineering’, ‘analyst’). Make sure you only search by one term at a time to maximise your results.
- Remember, some of our alumni community may be busy in their personal and professional lives when you message. Make sure to message more than one potential mentor, and don't be afraid to send a polite follow-up message in case they missed your initial one.
- Before starting a mentoring relationship, you should read and sign a mentoring agreement with your mentor. This contains guidance on confidentiality and what is expected of you in a mentoring relationship.
Remember, it is also ok if you are not currently looking for a long-term relationship. Many members of our community are very happy to offer some quick advice either over email or an online call! Look for those who have ticked ‘advice by email’ or ‘advice by phone or webchat’.
Find out more about becoming a Sussex Connect mentee
What are the mentoring opportunities for recent graduates?
Recent graduates (anyone who has graduated in the last three years from Sussex) can take part as a mentee to further their professional development. As a recent graduate you can also get involved by offering to be an alumni mentor.
“I have hugely benefitted from participating in the Global Mentoring Programme. From gaining valuable industry knowledge, receiving personalised advice and constructive feedback to feeling much more prepared going forwards in my career.”
Maisie Collins (BSc Psychology 2021)
Recent graduate mentee on our 2025/26 Global Mentoring Programme.
Why should I sign up?
Mentoring is a powerful method of professional development, and it can benefit individuals across all job roles and functions, within any department of discipline.
“Working with Simal gave me a real shot of energy and optimism – there's something about talking with someone early in their career, full of curiosity and ambition, that reminds you why you got into this work in the first place.”
David Lane (BSc Computing Science and Artificial Intelligence 2001)
Alumni mentor David talking about his relationship with mentee Simal.
You can read more about their mentoring relationship on our mentoring stories pages.
What are the benefits of being a mentor?
By becoming a Sussex Connect mentor, you can not only improve your leadership skills and reflect on your own achievements, but you can also use your valuable experience to potentially help change someone's world for the better.
“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.”
Adam Tolcher (BA History 2009 and MA Contemporary History 2012)
Alumni mentor Adam reflecting on his mentoring relationship with mentee Elena. You can read more about their mentoring relationship on our mentoring stories pages.
What are the benefits of being a mentee?
The Global Mentoring Programme offers the opportunity for support and guidance from someone who studied at Sussex too as you prepare to navigate the transition from studying to job hunting after graduation.
Being mentored by a Sussex graduate who has experience in your field of interest can have many personal and professional benefits, at any stage in your career, including:
- a supportive mentoring relationship in which to explore professional challenges
- confidential and objective discussions
- new insights and the ability to view things from different perspectives
- guidance from a more experienced career professional
- constructive feedback that challenges you to adopt new ways of thinking
- tailored support appropriate to your situation
- space to think about longer term development
“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)
Reflecting on her experience with mentor Adam on the 2025/26 Global Mentoring Programme.
What support will I receive?
As a mentor or mentee on the Global Mentoring Programme, the Office for Advancement will be available for support every step of the way.
Support for Mentors
- Mentors will be invited to an initial online introduction session when the programme starts in October.
- Monthly check-ins from the Office for Advancement.
- Regular support from our exclusive mentor group on Sussex Connect (which will remain open until April 2027).
- A comprehensive guide to the programme and many different example sessions you can run with your mentee.
- During the programme we will also offer Mentor Forum meetings where you can network online with your fellow mentors and ask the Advancement team any questions.
Support for Mentees
- Mentees will be invited to an introduction session to the programme in early October.
- Monthly check-ins from the Office for Advancement.
- Information on the Careers and Entrepreneurship support available to you as a mentee including guidance on upcoming sessions relevant to your development. Find out more about career development at Sussex on our Jobs and Careers pages.
- Regular support from our exclusive mentee group on Sussex Connect.
- A comprehensive guide to the programme as well as guidance on self development/ how to be a mentee.
- Regular Mentee Forum meetings where you can network with your fellow mentees, find out more about what alumni benefits are available to you and ask the Advancement team any questions.
- A certificate for taking part in the programme, that can be highlighted on your CV.
- Help with how to log your mentoring activities as part of the Spirit of Sussex Award.
How do I sign up?
Places on this year’s programme are open now for applications until Thursday 3 September 2026.
Spaces on this year’s programme are limited. We encourage you to include as much information as possible on your application form to help us find you a mentoring match.
Please note that your 2026/27 Global Mentoring Programme will be hosted through Sussex Connect – if you have not already registered for Sussex Connect, it is quick and easy to set up a profile.
Remember, you are always a part of Sussex and as part of our Global Mentoring Programme you will see the benefits your Sussex network can bring.