Monasterevin students benefit from student mentoring programme
Dublin students from the programme with Mel Finnegan Educuation Programmes Manager BITCI Photo: Jason Clarke
HORSE-BREEDING stable Godolphin have partnered with St Paul’s Secondary School in Monasterevin for this year’s Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) Student Mentoring Programme, which aims to raise career aspirations, boost school attendance, and open professional networks for DEIS 5th and 6th year pupils across the country.
This year, 347 students and mentors are taking part, bringing the total number of participating students to almost 3,500 since the programme began.
The programme pairs corporate volunteers with senior-cycle students in DEIS schools.
It gives students a chance to connect and communicate on an adult level with professionals in the working world, helping to improve confidence, communication, and social skills as well as receiving guidance on CV, interview technique and career-focused topics.
This year, Kildangan based Godolphin has partnered with St Paul's Secondary School to mentor its students towards confidence in the professional, working world.
Mel Flynn, BITCI Education Programmes Manager said: “We are constantly amazed and impressed at how these pupils thrive within the Student Mentoring Programme. Sharing and discussing career aspirations with these mentors leads to enhanced understanding of the options available after school, offers insights and opportunities in sectors not previously considered and raises their self-esteem.”
Amelia Salapatek, student at St Paul's Secondary School, said: “I have learned a lot from this mentorship programme that will help me in all aspects of my life. I learned I am more adaptable than I believed, shown by me signing up for this opportunity. These sessions also taught me that perspectives vary, and seeking others’ insights is important as it helps my understanding and helps collaboration with others.
"My mentor taught me a new technique to manage my time management and procrastination where I can categorise my assignments into different sections. I am using this new skill both in schoolwork and in my home life and feel less overwhelmed as a result.”
