University student and Future First volunteer Cam Arkle has provided mentoring support to students for around two years now. Here he talks about the benefits of online mentoring and how the experience has also benefited his studies and career prospects.
I’m in my third year of studying Psychology at Bangor University and was initially approached by Future First in my first year to speak to students at my old school, Bedlington Academy.
It’s really been about me offering students some support and guidance about higher education and apprenticeships and the other options open to them. I remember how stressful and tumultuous it was going through GCSEs and A Levels. Offering support to the students was very important to me because I could really have done with that support when I was their age.
I’ve now offered mentoring support to students in other schools across the country and I suppose that is one of the real benefits of the online mentoring process, especially with me being based in North Wales. But I also think it’s an approach that works really well for the students. It’s been more accessible and I actually think it has improved the experience for both them and me. It felt like it was easier for us to get into more pressing issues that they may not have been so willing and keen to discuss in person, among their peers.
The private one-to-one discussion has been really good because I’ve been able to tailor the conversation to each individual’s aspirations and needs. It’s definitely a model I think could be used way beyond education, such as in mental health support or skills development
I’ve spoken to students from around 10 schools now, right through from Year 10 to Year 13. I hope I’ve helped them to weigh up the options open to them after school and maybe helped them consider options they didn’t know were open to them. While I was pretty clear at school about what direction I wanted my studying and career to go in, I know loads of people who weren’t so clear – even at university. In fact, it’s very common and my hope is that I’ve helped the students I’ve spoken with to navigate that uncertainty.
It’s important to give students the opportunity to speak to someone who has recently gone through the experiences they are facing.
They need someone who understands and can really listen. In my experience a career adviser isn’t likely to have left school very recently and may not really listen to what you want to do. This could end up guiding you down a route that isn’t really for you. Future First are offering a mentoring programme which gives students access to genuinely relatable role models.
I have to say that I’ve also benefited from volunteering as a mentor with Future First. It’s helped significantly with the counselling skills that I need for my future career. I plan to go on and do a masters degree and doctorate in counselling psychology and the programme has helped me get experience of working in the helping profession. A good counsellor needs to demonstrate skills such as empathy, goal-setting, communication and active listening. I can say I certainly have improved in these areas from taking part in mentoring.
I’m very glad I took up the opportunity to be a mentor for Future First and if the students have gained from the experience then it’s been beneficial for all of us.
Interested in joining Cam in becoming a mentor? Find out more & express your interest.
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Future First is the public name for Future First Alumni Limited, a registered charity, number 1135638.
Investec has supported Future First since 2024. Our partnership is focused on the expansion of our Primary Programme, supporting the transition from primary to secondary education through mentors.
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Rothschild & Co. Charitable Giving Programme support Future First to develop and implement an innovative employability skills programme supporting young people at risk of being NEET (not entering education, employment or training).
Future first is delighted to be working with The Waterloo Foundation to build alumni networks in schools across Powys, South Wales
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Future First is pleased to be supporting Avado Learning with its flagship careers programme: FastFutures. FastFutures is a ground-breaking online work-readiness and personal skills programme for young people (18-22) from diverse backgrounds designed to prioritise underrepresented groups that are finding it harder than ever to enter the workplace. Founding Employer Partners, including Legal & General, Astra Zeneca, BT, Barclays, Tate & Lyle, AO.com, Octopus Investments, Health Education England, provide funding and mentoring to deliver this unique programme free of charge.
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Wellcome and Future First partner to deliver Career Insight Days for young people at state schools in London. Staff from across the Trust participate, including those from communications, research, grants and investments departments. The volunteers coach and support students in creative activities designed to build students’ confidence and to help them identify their strengths.
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The Key and Future First partner to deliver Career Insight Days for young people at state schools in Plymouth and London. The whole day events aim to improve the employability skills and work readiness of Year 12 students. Staff from across the organisation volunteer their time, sharing their professional expertise in a variety of activities including CV writing, mock interviews and presentation skills workshops. Volunteers coach and support students, building their confidence and helping a young person understand the value of their own skills and strengths.
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The multinational law firm Ashurst partners with Future First on the First Steps Programme. The programme sees 60 Year 6 pupils from Bonner Primary School in Tower Hamlets, London visit Ashurst’s London offices for a series of five insight mornings that provide pupils with aspiration raising experience and increased awareness of the careers available on their doorstep. Supported by over 40 Ashurst employee volunteers the interactive programme enhances pupils’ awareness of the types of jobs they might want to do in the future, develops their understanding of the steps to pursuing them and, begins to build the confidence and skills needed to excel in their academic and working lives.
As an Employer Partner, ARC Pensions Law supports Future First’s work by inviting Year 12 students from Future First’s network of schools who are eligible for free school meals or have parents who did not attend university to complete a week’s work experience placement at their London and Leeds office locations. Students have the opportunity to experience all aspects of a modern law firm, developing their professional and employability skills for a future career in law.
