Having a role model, or mentor, to support, advise and guide you, can help you aim high and achieve your full potential. This document sets out how to sign up to LEH Elevate and take the first steps towards finding a mentor.

Step one
During your Careers lesson you will be invited to sign up to Holles Connect. It’s the community platform for our network of alumnae (former LEH pupils).

Please sign up using your LEH email account. Please do not upload a photo.  Your account will need to be approved by a member of the Careers Team before it goes live.

Step two
We will email your parent or guardian to ask for their permission for you to use Holles Connect. Your account will not be activated until we have received the completed form.

Step three
Once your account has been approved, we ask all LEH Elevate users sign our Code of Conduct, which sets out the expectations of roles and responsibilities for using the programme. You can find it here: insert link.

Step four
Having completed these preliminary steps, it’s a good idea to read the User Guides here to help you get the most out of the programme. You are then able to explore Holles Connect and use the search function to find a possible mentor.

Step five
One you have made a mentor match you’d like to pursue, please send them a message via Holles Connect by selecting ‘Sixth Form Request’ as your topic.

Please note, communication with our LEH Elevate mentors must take place via Holles Connect messages only. For safety reasons, the Careers Team will monitor messages regularly. Please do not ask for your mentor’s contact details/social media accounts and do not offer or give out your own details if asked.

Step six
At the end of the Sixth Form you will be invited to upgrade your account to ‘Former Student’ and add your personal email address, so we can keep in touch with you to offer our support, and you can continue to enjoy the benefits of Holles Connect and be invited back for reunions and networking events.

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to the Careers Team.

How to get the Mentor relationship off to a good start.

1. Be Respectful, Enthusiastic and Grateful

It sounds obvious, but if you are hoping to get advice and support from someone who doesn’t know you yet but is still willing to help, it’s worth letting them know you are grateful. Showing kindness, courtesy and gratitude is the best way to start. Enthusiasm also helps.

2. Treat your Mentor as a Precious Resource

Our alumnae are highly experienced, busy professionals, so please don’t ask them for help unless you have tried to find the answer out elsewhere (i.e. by checking online). It’s worth doing a bit of research into them before you make an approach, by checking out their profile on Holles Connect or on LinkedIn etc, so you don’t waste their time asking obvious questions. If you are hoping to build your network and establish key connections, make sure to show yourself in your best light.

3. Sending Your First Message

On clicking on the messaging button you will be able to select the type of help you would like from a drop-down menu.  Students should select ‘Sixth Form request’ only. You can then type your message to your potential mentor.

Try and reference something specific relating to their work or university experience. Keep it short and don’t ask too many questions. Always say thank you at the end of the message and in all subsequent responses.

4. Prepare Your Questions and Let Your Mentor Know What You Want

Before making any approach, spend a bit of time deciding exactly what help you are after so you can be clear and concise in your request. In your first message, it’s a good idea to explain why you have selected them and asked for their help in particular.

If you’re looking for advice on a specific topic, let them know. If you’re looking for guidance on planning your career journey, let them know. If you don’t yet know exactly what help you need, that’s fine… but let them know.

5. What Happens Next?

Your message is sent to the alumna via email. They have the option to accept or decline the invitation to connect with you. If they accept, they will message you back.  If not, you will receive a message from Holles Connect to let you know to try your search again. If your request is declined, don’t take it personally, our alumnae are busy professionals and might not currently have capacity. Once a successful match has been made, you will be emailed a feedback form in due course to find out how you got on.

6. Following Up the First Message

The steps you take after your first mentor message are just as crucial as the preparation for it. Effective follow-up not only demonstrates your commitment and professionalism but also solidifies the foundation of your mentoring relationship. Here’s how to ensure your actions set you up for success:

Send a Thank You Note: Shortly after receiving a response from them, send a brief personalised reply to help establish a positive rapport.

Summarise the Key Points: Mention a few things you learned, along with a gentle reminder of any links or information they promised to send. Highlight the goals set, expectations discussed, and any immediate next steps you agreed upon. This not only shows your attentiveness but also reinforces your mutual commitment to the mentorship.

Maintaining Regular Communication: If you haven’t already, agree how often you will message your mentor. Be proactive and make it clear you are taking ownership of the relationship. Remember to keep your mentor informed of your progress, challenges, and any new developments. Regular updates keep your mentor engaged and demonstrate your ongoing commitment to your LEH Elevate Mentor.