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# Employment mentors


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## What is happening?

- Introductions during reading week for second half mentorship
- Half an hour a month, check in once a week
- Complementary to employment curriculum

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## Who are they?

- FAC alumni volunteers
- Variety of backgrounds
- Interested in helping you where possible
- A variety of availabilities - some might prefer to help on an evening or weekend

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## What are employment mentors for?

- Helping you prepare for life after FAC
- Insights into the world of work
- Connecting and facilitating growth

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## What are they not for?
- Emotional support, beyond e.g. interview pep talks / debriefs
- Doing things for you e.g. finding you jobs
- Relying on after the course finishes

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## Planning


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### Why plan?
- You get out what you put in - proactivity is key
- You are responsible for shaping the direction of this mentoring relationship, unless you agree otherwise with them directly

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- Having a clear idea of what you want to cover (and when) will keep your mentor feeling focussed and involved
- But remember this relationship is collaborative and you will benefit from giving them space to input as well

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## Today's activity

List three priorities that you have _as a starting point_ for your discussions with your mentor.
- These could be short term (writing a fab CV), through to longer term.
- Even if they can't help you directly, it will help them to have a picture of you and what you can see in your future.

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Read the guidance for employment mentors and getting the most from mentors (see Resources) and make a note of anything that jumps out at you.
- Write down anything that isn't included that you think might also be of value.
- Mentors are not required to do anything in the guidance and might be unable to do certain things, e.g. they can't pair programme if their code base is confidential.

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What personal milestones might you have over the second half of the course?

Use the course calendar if this helps to visualise it.

**Week 9** Portfolio site
**Week 10** CV
**Week 11** Cover letter
**Week 12** Job boards & recruiters (talent.io, Hired)
**Week 13** Data structures
**Week 14** Applications
**Week 15** Tech tests (Codewars and Pramp)
**Week 16** Interview prep
**Week 17** Extracurricular skills
**Week 18** The job offer

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Discuss these and feedback with your partner.


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## Resources

- [Employment mentor guidance](https://github.com/foundersandcoders/london-programme/blob/master/alumni-mentoring/employment-mentoring-guide.md)
- [Guide to getting most out of a mentor](https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/10-tips-getting-most-from-mentor) - can ignore points 3 & 4
- [Course calendar](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=foundersandcoders.com_vj61npf33n0k56q6u67f3krje4%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=Europe%2FLondon)