I initially came across AYP Mentoring Scheme when I attended the March 2017 AYP Ball at Pittodrie Stadium. I was greatly encouraged by the high turnout of young professionals in Aberdeen and the support that the AYP Scheme offers. My first contact was with one of the mentors and a family friend, Stacy Edghill who enlightened me on the AYP Scheme and its opportunities.


Currently to date, I am still at the early stage of my career story and will be graduating with a BA in Law and Management. As of September 2017, I will be continuing my studies in my second year of the LLB (Hons) at Robert Gordon University. I am a very passionate and a hardworking student, who recognises any opportunity for development.

The AYP scheme offers a great opportunity for personal development and I personally feel that the support and advice from successful professionals will be extremely beneficial in my further progression through higher education.  Therefore, the AYP mentoring seemed an extremely supportive scheme which I felt would be of great benefit to both parties involved.

 I contacted Steve White about the mentor scheme who was extremely helpful and supportive in joining the AYP Mentoring Scheme. Steve advised me on how to apply and I began the journey in applying for Rod Hutchison to be my Mentor.  Rod is a partner at Ledingham Chalmers and is an ideal choice as he is a significant figure in the legal profession in Aberdeen. As Rod’s mentee, I feel we both share an enthusiastic approach to the scheme and I felt his advice and support would be highly valuable.

I have currently met with Rod for the first coffee in which I was very nervous. Straight away I felt relaxed speaking to Rod as he shared stories of his career path and general conversations getting to know each other and what I would like to establish from the AYP Mentoring Scheme. The first meeting was a great success by expressing my career ambition and telling Rod of my university experience to date. As a student, I feel being able to ask questions and asking for advice is extremely beneficial. Rod has recently encouraged me to attend Offshore Europe and will hopefully get an opportunity to catch up at the event. Stacy Edghill who is also a mentor for the scheme has provided her support and we have arranged to meet at the Offshore Europe event for networking.
​
I would like to thank Rod and the AYP Mentor Scheme so far for providing me support and encouragement - every student needs it!

I first heard about the AYP Mentor Scheme when I was searching online for business support in Aberdeen.

I set up my business whilst on Maternity Leave, and having never ran one before I was hoping for some advice. Given that my business is a little niche, and that it provides a community service,  I was struggling to find the support I was requiring, and when I saw Duncan Skinner’s bio, I was delighted as I knew he would be able to be a great help because of his experience with not just businesses but with social enterprises too. 

Our first meeting confirmed my hopes that he would understand the questions I had and was able to guide me through the options available to me. I’m now in a position where I have a strategy in place for the future, and Duncan has kindly agreed to help look over my business plan and answer any questions as I move forward. 

We’re just at the start of the process, but I can already see the huge benefits the scheme is going to have not only on my business, but in term impacting the City as we are able to move towards offering more in our local communities. 

Thank you for the opportunity.

Jess