China Mentoring Programme

The Careers Service is delighted to announce the launch of our new China Mentoring Programme, looking to support our Chinese graduates who have chosen to return to China following their studies through mentoring.

The programme will match up recent graduates from the University of Manchester who have returned to China following the conclusion of their studies with mentors based within China. The aim of the programme is to help our graduates with making connections within China, navigating the Chinese job market, and assist in their career development.

If you are an alumnus from the University of Manchester, or an industry professional currently based in China who is looking to support our recent graduates through this mentoring programme, please fill out our application form below, and a member of the Mentoring Team will be in touch in due course.

Why should I apply to be a mentor?

For our recent graduates who have chosen to return to China following their studies with us here at the University of Manchester, they may find it overwhelming to navigate the job market and opportunities, especially if they have not been able to develop their networks within China whilst they have been studying with us in the UK.

We know that mentoring is personally rewarding but mentors also benefit in many other ways too:

  • If you are an alumnus from the University of Manchester, mentoring can be a great way to connect with a fellow alumnus of the university, as well as to give back to the University whilst overseas;
  • Support a recent graduate in exploring options and successfully preparing for their future;
  • Develop your own skillset, including skills such as active listening and coaching;
  • Raise the profile of your organisation and identify potential talent;
  • Connect with recent graduates who are new to or entering the job market, as a way to gain fresh perspectives and understanding;
  • Reflect upon your own journey, realise how far you have come and how much you have learned.

What is the time commitment of the programme?

The mentoring programme will run across spring and summer 2026, with exact dates of the programme to be confirmed in due course.

Before you will be able to join the programme, you will be required to attend or watch a virtual 1-hour induction session, which will provide further information around the programme and how to use Mentorloop, the mentoring platform we will be using to facilitate the mentoring programme. It will be mandatory to attend or watch this induction session before you are able to sign up to our mentoring platform and be matched with a mentee.

Once you are enrolled on the programme and matched up with a mentee, we expect that you will be able to meet with your mentee roughly once per month across the course of the programme, flexible around you and your mentee's other commitments. These meeting can be held in-person, if you are both able to do so, or they can be conducted online, or a mix of the two across the programme.