Downe House School on the value of alumnae mentoring

Headmistress of Downe House Emma McKendrick on the career and life inspiration that comes when former students get together with the current cohort

Alumnae can be a wonderful inspiration to existing students. Because they have shared a similar educational journey, they are able to relate to current students and show them what is possible by sharing experiences. Essentially, students gain a window into the outside world and, because of the common connection, will often feel able to ask questions and seek advice in a more relaxed manner.

Likewise, alumnae are often delighted to help students and offer advice. What is also very special is the trust that exists amongst alumnae, which means more candid experiences can be shared. For example, revealing what has not gone so well, as well as where they have experienced success, delivers a level of transparency which shows pupils that bumps in the road or unexpected challenges do not need to be a bar to achievement and happiness.

By networking with alumnae, students also gain insight into a vast range of careers. They will hear, and sometimes even see, what certain job roles entail. They also gain advice on how to progress in different industries, while learning about the rich diversity of career opportunities. This is particularly important as new careers are emerging all of the time. Another invaluable benefit is that students will often meet alumnae who are at varying stages of their careers, giving insights into the paths that exist within one field.

Students are often surprised at how friendly and supportive alumnae are. Sometimes students can feel their goals are unattainable or too aspirational, and then they meet people who are just like them and who want to help them. What can also be enlightening is discovering that everyone experiences challenging times. It can be inspiring to see firsthand how others have turned these hurdles into opportunities.

“Revealing what has not gone so well, shows that bumps in the road do not need to be a bar to achievement and happiness”

Networking events in general are great motivators. Students will make valuable connections and foster a greater understanding of sectors they are interested in. As a result, they will be more informed about the skills and experience necessary for specific roles. Alumnae are often generous in mentoring too, giving interview practice and other practical help.

Developing confidence in an unfamiliar setting is key to future success and attending a networking event helps students to learn and practice how to introduce themselves, how to ask questions, present themselves and follow up after a connection has been made. They learn the need for preparation and the importance of researching delegates attending, so that conversations can be more fruitful.

At Downe House, our networking events are arranged in a number of ways. Sometimes we invite groups of alumnae in the same field to visit the school and showcase the variety of careers open to them through short presentations followed by Q&A panel sessions. Sometimes it will be one alumna who shares their own journey or runs a workshop. We have also been lucky enough to have alumnae hosting events at their offices for students to experience what the workplace is like, hear from those working in the field and learn about graduate programmes. It can be particularly helpful for our students to hear how young women are encouraged and empowered in the workplace.

Every networking opportunity brings different benefits, but they are all extremely valuable in the quest for nurturing confidence, ambition and resilience in a fast-paced modern world.

Downe House School downehouse.net

Further reading: Mayfield School on A levels and beyond