Employers Work with us Mentoring Mentoring INTRODUCTION TO THE PR MENTORING PROGRAMME Our PR Mentoring Programme has allowed us to expand the reach of the Foundation's work by supporting a greater number of talented candidates as they begin or grow in a PR and Communications career. Spanning over six months, our PR Mentoring Programme offers Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates (18+) interested or already working in public PR and communications the opportunity to be allocated a mentor. To date, we have made over 150 successful matches and through our survey findings it is evident that mentoring has benefited both the mentee and the mentor. Previous mentees have reported that the mentoring process helped them develop their knowledge of the industry and their contacts; it has also helped them build their confidence in applying for PR roles. WHAT IS THE PR MENTORING PROGRAMME? Designed to directly address the need for greater ethnic diversity in the communications and PR industry, the Taylor Bennett Foundations six-month PR Mentoring Programme is an opportunity for candidates to achieve their set goals relating to the public relations industry. The programme works by providing candidates with an insight into the different strands of the sector, readying them for the job market, alongside identifying career objectives with the support and guidance from an experienced practitioner. While our PR Mentoring Programme takes the more traditional form of mentoring, we are proud of the elements of a reverse mentoring structure that allows candidates to share with their mentors. Whilst the aim is for candidates to meet personal objectives they have set themselves, we want all mentors that sign up to the programme to gain an insight into the challenges ethnically diverse candidates face when starting or looking to progress in their career. This two-way relationship provides mentors with a unique insight into where we are as an industry and what more can be done to champion change for the future. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A MENTOR? It is an opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the challenges we have in the PR and Communications industry and how your influence can be a part of the solution An opportunity to develop your self-reflective allyship skills A chance to improve and hone your own mentoring and coaching development skills A sense of achievement in helping someone build and grow in their professional career Upon completion of the programme, all mentees will receive: A mentor that will provide counsel and guidance throughout the six-month programme Support in navigating their career via their objectives and goals set for the programme The opportunity to learn more about the industry and their mentors' career journey The chance to build and expand their professional network 67 mentor/mentee matches were made through the spring 2021 cohort, with businesses mentoring between 1 and 17 TBF candidates. 2021 mentors are: Barclays, BDO, BT, Deepmind, Facebook, Fever PR, Greenhouse, HSBC, Penguin Random House UK, Nelson Bostock, PLMR, Sky, Ketchum and Tulchan Communications. What mentors have said about the PR Mentoring Programme "Overall a very good experience–the guide was very helpful, my mentee was attentive and hard-working, and I was able to develop mentoring skills." "Very enjoyable to work with and develop a working relationship with, a talented young person who is highly motivated to develop their career. Because we don’t work together, we are able to be really candid, and this helps tremendously. It’s a truism, but I’m learning as much from her as she is from me." "I was delighted to be invited to participate in the Taylor Bennett Foundation mentoring programme. The main things that make TBF mentees stand out are their quality, talent, dedication and focus. I have no doubt that many of the mentees who took part in the scheme will go on to have very successful careers in PR and Communications, and I look forward to seeing what they can achieve." HOW TO GET INVOLVED Applications are now closed for our autumn 2021 programme. To register your interest in applying for the spring 2022 cohort, please complete our short form here and when applications open, we will send you an email notification.