In the wake of the pandemic, GCU immediately pulled together as a community, with our students at the heart of our efforts. Recognising summer 2020 would be the hardest for new graduates for more than a generation, the university launched MINT (Mentoring, Internships, Networking and Talks) in a bid to give our upcoming 5,000 graduates the best possible chance of securing employment at the earliest opportunity.
Launched with £200,000 from Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, to kick-start the match-funded internships, the scheme has been backed by other notable honorary graduates and alumni of GCU, including actor Martin Compston; Founder of Stemettes Anne Marie Imafidon MBE; and Brian Duffy, CEO of Watches of Switzerland.
Through the mentoring, students are paired with an experienced alumni mentor who will offer support such as industry advice and suggestions for building industry connections.
The match-funded internship programme offers new graduates the opportunity to gain industry experience paid in line with the living wage within an SME, voluntary organisation or a company where GCU alumni are employed.
Networking and talks are designed to help students and alumni grow their networks and, through our “Captains of Industry Talks,” hear from leading experts like Group Chief Financial Officer at NatWest Katie Murray and award-winning British Fashion Designer Christopher Raeburn on their career journeys and the impact of COVID-19 on their sector.
Developed to support the Class of 2020, MINT’s exceptional success has led to it being incorporated into our core alumni programme and paved the way for our campaign.
From the Judges
This submission clearly stood out from the others, and was worth the Grand Gold for all of the effort and time that was spent on this.
