Are you interested in networking with professionals from around Galway city and gaining valuable transferable skills in the process? Do you want to bridge the gap between your academic degree and the world of work? If so, the new NUI Galway Mentoring Programme, "Career Connect," could be of enormous assistance to you.

The mentoring programme has many elements such as work shadowing, career talks, workshops, face-to-face and email mentoring. The first part of the programme is a pilot initiative between NUI Galway Careers Service, Alumni and Junior Chamber International (JCI) Galway. The aim is to provide students and experienced professionals from the city with an opportunity to meet, discuss career goals, network, have fun in a social setting and help students in enhancing their professional skills outside the lecture hall.

"Communication with mentors can provide useful information about career options, employment conditions, job prospects and responsibilities," says John Hannon, Careers Advisor NUI Galway. "This kind of first-hand advice and support from those already established in their chosen field or profession will be invaluable to undergraduate and postgraduate students setting out on their own career paths.

The mentors and their organisations will also benefit from participating in the programme as it will provide them with opportunities to have direct contact with students and potential employees as well as illustrating the mentor's ability to help others."

The programme will be structured around a number of events, starting today (Tuesday) and running throughout March/April, to support the mentoring relationship. The events have been selected to provide students with a variety of business experiences outside the classroom including networking, a company job shadow day, training on leadership skills, team work and personal development.

Interested? Whether a student or a graduate, find out more by contacting Una McDermott, NUI Galway Student Services, Tel. (091) 495282; Email: una.mcdermott@nuigalway.ie and request an application form. Places on this programme are limited, so sign up now!

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