Third-year Gold Scholars were given the chance to build London-based industry connections at a GSP Networking Reception last week. The event, held at the University of Bath in London on Wednesday 12 February, was one of a range of personal development opportunities on offer as part of the Gold Scholarship Programme.

First impressions

The event began with a training session led by Neil Weaver, Supply Chain Director for Cath Kidston. The workshop covered how to make the right impression when starting a new job, with a particular focus on professional behaviour and how understanding both your own and others’ personality types can help in the workplace.

Face to face

Following their training session, the Scholars were joined by over 50 Gold Mentors and friends of the University for networking over drinks and canapés. Attendees represented a wide range of industries, including finance, government and the charity sector.

The evening was a valuable chance for the Scholars to test out their networking skills – developed throughout their time on the Gold Scholarship Programme – and to benefit from the knowledge and experience of our Gold Mentors.

Breaking down barriers

Our special guest for the evening was Dr Rachel Carr OBE, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of IntoUniversity. Operating in over 30 communities across the UK, IntoUniversity works to support disadvantaged young people to achieve their educational ambitions.

In her speech, Rachel explained:

The University of Bath is one of our charity’s key partners, so it’s such a pleasure to come and meet some of your Gold Scholars and hear about the transformative Gold Scholarship Programme.

University partnerships are absolutely central to what we do. In order to run our centres, we need financial support from universities but, just as crucially, we need the lecture theatre spaces and the volunteers – so it’s an amazing collaborative partnership that we have. It really does enable us to transform lives.

Her sentiments were echoed by Dr Cassie Wilson, the University’s Vice-President for Student Experience:

For those of us at Bath, it has been deeply inspiring to see that the Scholars who have benefitted from the mentoring opportunities are now confidently sharing their own experiences with their peers, and with the next generation of students by mentoring secondary school pupils through IntoUniversity.

Gold Scholarships

Launched in 2017, the Gold Scholarship Programme gives students from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to excel, offering mentoring, skills training and support with placements, as well as an annual bursary.

If you're interested in learning more about becoming a Gold Mentor, please contact Liz Simmons (Scholarships and Bursaries Enrichment Manager) at gold-mentors@updates.bath.ac.uk