Rohit Khosla
Spanish & Management BA, 2021. Diversity Mentee, 2020/2021.
What does it mean for you to participate in the diversity mentoring programme?
It has been a great privilege to have been part of the Diversity Mentoring Programme. I have thoroughly benefited from receiving ongoing advice and support from my mentor. In particular, the programme has enabled me to build a meaningful professional relationship whilst learning about a new industry. This is in tandem with being able to recognise the inherent diversity in the career paths taken by many King’s graduates, highlighting the plethora of transferrable skills a King’s degree can provide.
What did you do personally to make the most out of this programme and above all, of your mentor’s help during these six months?
In order to make the most out of the programme, I have sought to be proactive in arranging meetings with my mentor on a regular basis, ensuring that I keep them posted about my progress academically and professionally. I have also implemented their advice for my own professional development, for example through enrolling in courses or reading books that they have recommended.
Your biggest success (e.g., learning about job applications and different industries, getting an internship or new job, CV writing, etc.)
Having already secured a graduate role before meeting my mentor, the biggest success for me was being able to learn more about my mentor’s industry, and sharing any job opportunities at my mentor’s firm with my own network. I am pleased to say that this has since resulted in a close friend of mine being offered a job with the firm! As such, this experience has highlighted to me the importance of your network when securing jobs, and how sharing your experiences with others can have positive mutual benefits.
What is the biggest advice you would give to future applicants/participants?
In order to maximise the returns from this experience, I would firstly encourage future participants to be proactive in arranging meetings with their mentors, perhaps including a brief agenda of topics to
discuss during these meetings beforehand. This would demonstrate to the mentor that the participant is enthusiastic and driven to make the most out of the experience. Secondly, I would encourage participants to ask lots of questions during their meetings, without fear of appearing ignorant. Lastly, it is important that participants convey an open mindset towards new opportunities and experiences- you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!
What is the value for you of having an alumni connection?
I believe that establishing a close-knit alumni network is crucial in maintaining a strong relationship between different cohorts at King’s. Through sharing our own experiences and opportunities with one another, we can foster an environment that encourages mutual support, whilst celebrating the diversity of our achievements over time. I look forward to being part of the King’s Alumni Network in the future, perhaps in a mentoring capacity too!