When Tolulope (Tolu), a second-year undergraduate student with aspirations in the finance and financial services industry, joined the Graduate Mentor programme, she had ambition but wasn’t sure which path was right for her. That’s where Stephen stepped in. As her mentor, Stephen provided more than just career advice—he offered tailored support that helped Tolu refine her CV, craft a professional cover letter, and build confidence in her communication and presentation skills.
From their very first conversation, Stephen created a space where Tolu could explore her interests, receive honest feedback, and develop professionally. Whether it was practicing articulation and interview techniques or making strategic improvements to her application materials, Stephen guided her every step of the way. His direct but supportive approach ensured that Tolu felt prepared, informed, and empowered as she continued exploring opportunities in the competitive finance industry.
Here’s what Tolu had to say about her mentoring experience:
“First, I would start off by saying I value his expertise in the industry that I’m interested in. More importantly, how frank and upfront he is about his advice and recommendations—I know that this is all in my best interest. He’s guided me through refining and honing my CV and, more recently, my cover letter to make them both read more clearly and professionally to hiring managers.
I would also like to acknowledge his work in helping me with my articulation and presenting to become more confident, but also enunciate my form of speech. Overall, he’s been a very professional and helpful mentor to work with.”
Tolu’s story is one of many that highlights the value of mentorship—especially when navigating early career decisions. Through the Graduate Mentor platform, students like Tolu receive real-world insights, professional development coaching, and practical tools that help them stand out in a competitive graduate job market.
