Student Mentors (School Connect)
Student Mentors with School Connect support school pupils at key stages in their secondary school education.
Involvement in this scheme gives the opportunity to develop the following Common Good attributes:
- Active and global citizenship
- Confidence
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Responsible leadership
What’s involved?
School Connect works in partnership with 12 partner secondary schools, supporting senior school pupils with the application and transition to Glasgow Caledonian University and younger students at key decision-making stages. We provide focused information, advice and guidance to ensure school pupils applying to GCU have the support needed to gain maximum benefit from their university studies.
Early engagement with pupils while still at school helps to raise aspirations, demystify higher education and inform pupils about subject choice and the diverse range of courses and careers open to them.
How will participating in this activity/opportunity allow students to make a positive difference in the communities that we serve?
All activities are supported by student mentor ambassadors, who act as role models to pupils from the beginning to the conclusion of any given project. There are three main School Connect projects that mentors work on: the S2/3 Options and Choices Project; the S5 into S6 Induction Project; and the S6 Information, Advice and Guidance Programme.
For the S2/3 project, our student mentors have the opportunity to showcase their course by working with the team to develop and lead a short, interactive ‘show and tell’ activity. Working with school pupils in and around Glasgow allows our student mentors to make a difference in the communities GCU serves, many of which are located in areas of multiple deprivations and have lower than average progression statistics to higher education.
What are the benefits of taking part in this activity/opportunity for participating students?
In addition to making a difference in our communities and helping pupils make an informed choice about their future; working as a student mentor will allow you to play an active role in the university, develop and hone skills to improve your future employment prospects and meet and work with other GCU students from a variety of disciplines.
Former mentors have reported that the role helped them gain graduate employment, with many citing that the experience helped them develop and demonstrate leadership, communication, negotiation and management skills, among others.
The role also offers you the opportunity to earn money in a part-time job with the flexibility to fit around your studies. You will also be eligible to enrol on GCU’s Student Leaders Programme and work towards the Common Good Award.
Success stories
Conor, a current St Mungo’s Academy pupil and future GCU journalism student said: "On returning for my S6 I had made my mind up that I wasn’t good enough for university, even though this was a dream of mine. As a result, I wasn’t going to apply.
"However, thanks to the support I received from the School Connect team I was convinced that I was more than good enough. I was given vast amounts of support and knowledge from student mentors about my course, Jillian and Rachel spent hours preparing me for my interview as well as encouraging me to attend supported study sessions.
"Moreover, they have always been there to give me moral support and advice whenever my studies or doubts got too much for me.
"As a result of their work, I was offered a place on the course I have always wanted. Had it not been for the School Connect Programme I would not be on the way to fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a journalist."