Jane Wright and Sarah Hopkins
Mentee:
Sarah Hopkins, E A Shaw
Mentor:
Jane Wright, University of Westminster
Sarah Hopkins, a graduate Surveyor at E A Shaw, was a
regional finalist in the Women in Property National Student
Awards. She was mentored by Jane Wright when she was seeking
a job after graduation.
"I had heard good things about Mentoring through Women in
Property so took up the opportunity of attending a course. At
that time I had graduated from Kingston but, as it has been such a
difficult time in the market, I was struggling more than I expected
to get a job. What I really needed was advice on how to take
my career forward when, to me, it looked like it was going
nowhere.
"Jane helped me a lot. I was feeling low and de-motivated
and alongside practical tips, she gave me the best, simplest advice
- be positive and smile more! She helped me understand that I
wasn't giving the right impression but, with some positive
thinking, I would see a real difference. It worked,
everything turned around, professionally and personally. In
just three or four weeks I was getting good feedback from job
applications and I am now very happy to be working with E A
Shaw. I would definitely like to continue the mentoring, now
looking at the wider professional and career issues. I'm also
recommending the smiling to all my friends!"
Jane Wright is Head of Property & Construction
at the University of Westminster. She became involved with
Women in Property through the National Student Awards.
"My introduction to mentoring was via a Women in Property
training session which was very informative and interesting, I was
really glad I did it. Nevertheless I was actually quite
surprised when Sarah contacted me asking whether I would be her
mentor as I wasn't convinced I'd have enough to offer her.
Part of my doubt was because one of Sarah's main objectives, being
a recent graduate, was to find a job which is tough enough at the
best of times, let alone in a difficult market - I wasn't sure what
difference I could make. I needn't have worried. We had
a long discussion when we assessed her aims and ambitions and I
suggested a number of pointers and initiatives that might
help.
"For example, the University of Westminster runs free 'Build Up'
courses specifically for people who are unemployed . Sarah
did one session and found it very helpful and positive. Sarah has
since got a job as a graduate surveyor with EA Shaw which she
started recently. Her first target has been met so now we
have an open relationship when she can call me for advice and to
mull over any issues. As for me, it has actually been great
for my confidence too as I realise I have more to offer than
perhaps I'd given myself credit for!"