Gregor Angus provides us with his update as he progresses through the AYP Mentorship Scheme.22/2/2018 I’ve been working with Stacy for a number of months now. She has a very hectic schedule but always makes herself available to meet. Stacy takes the time to understand my challenges and has given me a variety of tools and practical tasks to help me focus on making improvements. Stacy has a very hands on approach and supports in any way she can – she has gone out of her way to facilitate introductions to others and has identified and attended a number of industry networking events with me. I entered the programme with a couple of specific areas where I felt I most needed development but Stacy has provided mentoring and guidance on a whole host of issues. Her experiences across different roles in different sectors has been great for me to tap into. Stacy has taken a real interest in my role and career and is an excellent sounding board. Stacy’s positivity helps me focus on what I can do. Being on the mentor programme has given me the confidence to tackle challenges I previously put in the ‘too hard’ box. I continue to see the benefits of mentoring support and it’s something I’d actively encourage others to get involved with. I’m more than happy to discuss my experiences of being on the mentoring scheme with this new to the programme or considering applying.
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My name is David Garcia, I am 35 and originally from Spain and have been living in Aberdeen more over 4 years. I had heard about AYP but never thought it could be something for me, I thought it would be a scheme for recent graduates. However last year I found myself in the middle of a professional and personal crisis. I didn’t know if I was going in the right direction and what I could do to improve the situation. Therefore, I decided to find out more about AYP and give it a try. It was surprising that is a pro-bono scheme where experienced people are keen to mentor others. Anyway, I had nothing to lose I thought. Barry Mole was appointed my mentor and since the very beginning he has been a great support. He has made me realise how important it is to be in control of the situation, how to create the right environment in your work place and what to do to enjoy your job. He always tells me, “you have to be enjoy what you do”. Besides, as a foreigner you are sometimes unsure about how to do certain things. I have raised my concerns about it to Barry and he has helped clarify some things but also let me know when I am wrong. To be honest with you, the first time I spoke with Barry I was a bit down. My wife was pregnant (she still is and due in a few weeks so I guess Aberdeen is going to be a part of me all my life regardless of what may come in the future), I was not happy with myself and complaining about many things. However, Barry told me you can change that, now it is your choice. A few weeks later, I decided to change my life, I left my job to revaluate things and take control of my life. Barry also told me something more important, don’t complain about the past, focus your efforts on the future and how to make it yours. It works!! I still have to work on a lot of things, but I know I am in the right direction and have a great guide to help me during this professional but also personal development process. I hope I could give back some of this support to others in the future. I am extremely grateful to Barry and everyone involved in AYP. I will be attending AYP Ball 2018 on Friday 2nd March to meet up with everyone who would like to have a good time and share experiences. See you there! Now that I’m nearing towards the end of my Mentor Scheme 2017/18 I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ross again for the time he’s taken to provide me with valuable career guidance and support. Ross and I have covered numerous topics including recruitment strategies, in-house recruitment, contract recruitment, presentation skills and more, each topic we’ve covered has proved to be hugely beneficial to me and I was able to learn from his own career experiences. For the past 12 months I had also been on a development plan with my employer TEAM Energy Resources and I believe that the guidance I’ve received from Ross along with continued support working on my confidence had indeed contributed in my recent promotion as ‘Senior Recruitment Partner’ supporting Acteon’s operating companies. I’m looking forward to attending this year’s AYP Ball again in March, meeting with other Mentees and Mentors from the AYP scheme and hearing how their own personal development plans have been a success for them. I’ve been fortunate enough to have Ross as my mentor this year I’d encourage any professional who’s looking for career guidance to consider the AYP Mentor Scheme. Since our initial meeting Duncan’s advice has helped transform my business from an ‘at home start up’ to a much more professional business entity. He’s dedicated time to helping me better formulate my business plan, and his knowledge of Aberdeen and the Social Enterprise industry has been invaluable. Many things which were unknowns to me are now clear, and I feel I have a better hand on both business growth and direction, and who to turn to as new challenges arise. It’s been a great opportunity and I’ve very grateful. Jess Hippey Baby Carrying Consultant. www.closeandcalm.co.uk 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! |
AuthorOur Mentors and Mentees will be publishing blogs as they progress through the AYP Mentor Scheme Categories |