Each January is National Mentoring Month, a time to celebrate the need for mentoring and its significance to growth.
Software Solved are key promoters and supporters of investing in STEM and work closely with Exeter College, the University of Exeter and the University of Plymouth. We also take part in the Empowering Girls, STEM Ambassador and Professional mentor Programmes. Alongside this, we support other organisations working to improve the connection between young people and businesses, such as Tech Exeter, ExIST and Tech South West.
This month, some of our team volunteered to take part in Employability Week at Clyst Vale Community College. Presenting tips and advice to Years 7 – 9 about our career journeys to inspire the students to start thinking about their own future careers. Other team members take part in mentoring internally to support colleagues, through universities and through the Empowering Girls programme, which is delivered to local schools.
Jon Stace, Head of Technology
“I have done mentoring both within Software Solved and with a mentoring programme at the University of Plymouth with second-year students studying a computing course. This covers all sorts of things, such as presentation skills, legal and intellectual properties, and a wide area of subjects. It’s important to not have just technical skills but also soft skills to be successful. I highlight the importance of continuous improvement that will help the individual to keep growing. This felt great to give something back and help with direction for their future careers and life. I am taking part in the programme this year as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Internally, I have worked on growing the IT department. It’s amazing to hear the feedback about my team and I continue to help them grow and develop in their roles. Seeing how well they are received is really fulfilling and hearing the positive feedback on how they have approached things following my advice and guidance.”
Lizzie Bailey, Digital Marketing Executive
“Becoming a mentor who can help show young women the possibilities to inspire them to reach their goals, is a great feeling. I enjoyed presenting to the school and helping to inspire the students to start thinking about future careers. I have found mentoring extremely rewarding and I get a real buzz after each session through Empowering Girls, knowing I have offered that individual tailored career advice. I know I would have really benefited from this myself at school.”
Scott Jaques, Lead Support Developer
“I’ve been mentoring for a while now and it’s been a great experience. Not only does it give you the chance to watch your mentee grow with your support and guidance but being a mentor helps you develop your own skills in leadership and communication. I’ve seen one of my current mentees come from a graduate developer to a developer and see how they’ve progressed in that time. It’s a great way to try and pass on my experience in development without trying to force it, it’s guidance and support in a 1-to-1 environment away from our normal work structure.”
Charlotte Rook, Head of People and Culture
“During my involvement with the Empowering Girls programme, I have been paired with two admirable young women. I have learnt as much from them as hopefully they have learnt from me! I have been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by strong female role models in my career and I feel privileged to provide that experience to someone else. A real highlight of the programme is seeing the mentees grow in confidence over the sessions and ask more and more questions.
Marcus Spry, Junior Test Analyst
“I have personally really benefited from being mentored by my colleagues; the reason why is because they have all been through the same steps a few years before so they know what it’s like to be in my shoes. They are always so encouraging and know when to step back and let me learn on the job but are always there to jump in and help me if I am struggling. This has all helped with my confidence and my career goals and progression.”
Discover more about what our team get up to alongside their roles at Software Solved.
