Mentoring Event - Day 1
Background
There has been a growing recognition of the value to our students, and indeed to the design profession, in establishing and developing a working relationship between education and industry. In the past we have employed visiting lecturers, arranged agency visits and students have been given practical work experience. However for many agencies their first contact with students is still at final shows or exhibitions.
Mentoring
We are looking to change this and bridge the gap by introducing a more structured commitment from our students and from those leading members of the design industry through mentoring.‘Mentors’ would be allocated 2 students at the start of the academic year and after an initial briefing meeting the students would be asked to produce a piece of work in answer to the mentors brief over the course of the first term.It would be a matter of personal choice as to the level of interaction and guidance given during the intervening period.The final piece should be presented to the Mentor and feedback given and a brief critique produced for the College. (It is not anticipated that this will involve more than 4 hours.)During the second term the Mentors would be asked to advise their students as they prepare their portfolios in anticipation for work experience and give them some guidance in relation to one or two design competitions during the term. (Again this portion of the scheme should not take more than 4 hours.)