A record number of over 200 students will have had the opportunity to take part in the RIBA Student Mentoring Programme this academic year, at three south west universities. The mentoring programme is a partnership of the many architects and practices who offer their time and expertise; the universities, and RIBA South West.
Students spend time with their mentor architect and practice learning about the business side of running a practice; how fees are set, what happens in a client or planning meeting, and spending time on a site. The experience is excellent preparation for the first period of practical placement, on which the students are about to embark.
The programme at the University of Bath concluded in January, with a ‘wrap event’ celebrating the achievements of the 84 Year 2 students and their 24 architect mentors. Now in its fifth year, the programme will start again in October 2020.
The first year of the programme at the University of Plymouth was launched with a lively 'Meet Your Mentor' session. Here, the 26 Year 3 students got to know their 11 architect mentors, and set dates for their sessions.
The fourth year of the programme at UWE Bristol also launched in January, with 91 Year 3 students from all three RIBA-validated courses taking part - from Architecture, Architecture and Planning, and Architecture and Environmental Engineering. Students met their 32 architects from across the south west to plan their mentoring sessions.
RIBA Student Mentoring is a benefit of RIBA student membership, at many schools of architecture across England.
