Case Studies
We are privileged to work with and support 100s of young people every year through our programmes. Our case studies showcase some of the young people who have taken part in our programmes and share their experiences and how it’s helped them pursue their career aspirations.
Charlie
Student at Oxford University, mentored by Mike from Google.
“I applied to Career Accelerator with the aim of finding the ideal route for me to pursue journalism after my degree. I was paired up with Mike, a communications manager for Google, who was very helpful in outlining my options and giving me advice on applying for internships and placements. With his support I managed to secure a summer internship.
Career Accelerator showed me that career advice is more than just outlining professional plans and that discussing your personal circumstances and how they might fit into your career path is equally important.
I now feel more secure in my career path with a summer internship on the horizon and some very useful advice from my mentor on how to get the most out of those experiences in the future.”
Will
Administrator for the Ministry of Justice, mentored by Sophie from Trainline.
“I had a brilliant experience with Career Accelerator! For me, it came at a time that I was coming out of cancer treatment and I was struggling to find a direction I wanted to take my life in. I didn’t have the qualifications I expected to, and the direction I was heading in didn’t feel right for me anymore. Meeting with a mentor who had similar symptoms to me, understood being disabled in the workplace, and knowing the impact, meant a lot to me. More than anything, it helped me revise my plans and gain the confidence I needed moving forward. From the beginning to the end, I went from having no clue to being ready to apply for jobs, and that was more than I could have asked for.
I got on incredibly with my mentor – I really didn’t expect how similar we would be! She struggled with the same fatigue symptoms as me, and shared my aspirations about having a good career and feeling successful. She supported me in breaking down what I wanted from my career, where I was, what I needed to get there, and helped give me advice to build confidence regarding each of those parts. I’ve felt very grateful for how much she seemed to care, and the support she was willing to give.”
Zach
Politics and International Studies Graduate from the University of Warwick.
“It was great getting to know someone at a big company and the mentoring gave me the time and space to work out what’s next in my career development.
My mentor Luke was a really good match, we were similar in our career ambitions, interests and motivations. Plus they are a D&I advocate. I don’t yet know many people in the business world, so it was also great to build my professional network through Luke.
Luke helped to open my eyes to a profession I hadn’t thought of. Before our sessions started I didn’t really know what’s out there. Now I’m really focused on securing a job in the PR industry after Uni, and I have a better idea of how to recognise a LGBT+ company, which is really important to me.”
Amy
Economics Undergraduate at Lancaster University.
“Career Accelerator showed me what the inside of a big company really looks like. Lisa helped me to see the relevance of STEM, and the real world application appealed to me. It was exciting because I could suddenly see myself doing a job like cyber security.
Lisa shared similar interests so we always had lots to talk about! I built my confidence which helped me to focus on my studies and career research.
Through Career Accelerator I’ve gotten access to career opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise have had. I wouldn’t have thought to choose the same A-Levels, which is crazy to think about! I went from feeling like Maths was hard to choosing to do Advanced Maths at A-Level. I’m so glad I got that opportunity.”
Murat
Founder in Residence at Entrepreneur First.
“I found out where my passions within tech lie with the help of Career Accelerator, they were able to help me on my journey by introducing me to a variety of fields along with the opportunites for students. Being on Career Accelerator was a rewarding experience and was stimulating enough to learn more about yourself.
It allowed me to set my professional goals and plans so I can clearly define my next steps. This definitely helped me feel at ease especially when the workload piled on the following year. Career Accelerator has helped me organise my time which was convenient since I used the same skills in order to organise my A-level studies. I had to manage my newly created LinkedIn network, meetings with my mentor as well as the plethora of other opportunities Career Accelerator had to offer such as potential summer experience.”
Beyonte
Beyonte was mentored by Trudy at Pearson in 2021.
“Not only did I receive guidance and support in achieving my professional goals, but the programme has allowed me to meet like-minded individuals who share similar experiences and challenges, helping me to feel more included and valued.
Being part of this community has given me the opportunity to make new friends and connect with others who understand me, and through my involvement, I feel like I’m making a difference one conversation at a time.
It was incredibly rewarding to feel like I was making a difference by sharing my experiences and helping others, especially when I was given the chance to make an impact on the Alumni Advisory board. No matter how small I loved that I was able to help and contribute to growing the programme and I feel like I’m a part of something good.
Thank you, Career Accelerator, for providing this amazing programme and for helping me to grow both personally and professionally.”
Sam
Sam was mentored by Cormac at VirginMediaO2 in 2022 and is a Future Trainee at Clifford Chance.
“I took part in the mentorship scheme for LGBTQ+ people in my final year of University. At the time, I was struggling to find a place in the world outside of St Andrews and how to market myself in a turbulent job market shaken up by COVID-19.
I lacked confidence as an LGBTQ+ person, with the rise in hate and discrimination which robbed me of much of my joy and pride.
Career Accelerator helped me when I needed it the most, and they could do the same for you. Mayur Gupta and Rebecca Lewis were amazing in making a daunting process feel manageable, enabling me to thrive post-university.
They continue to provide support and guidance even now. Equally, I count myself incredibly lucky they partnered hme up with Cormac Connolly. As a mentor, his patience and insight provided a much-needed voice of reason. I still maintain that without his help in how to tackle case study interviews, I would never have made it as far as I did in my various job applications.”
Tanya
Tanya was mentored by Amy at Cisco in 2021.
“I was a Career Accelerator mentee in a work experience program, when I was in year 11. Back then, I wasn’t entirely sure where my career was going, or exactly where I’d see myself working.
The work experience positioned me in a better direction. I realised that I wouldn’t mind having a corporate job as the hours were convenient, and I’d be around people which could teach me things and help me develop as a professional as well as an individual. The work experience also made me realise that I would like to work in the finance sector. I am looking forward to taking place in more Career Accelerator programs.”
Ahmed
Ahmed was mentored by Alex at Sky in 2022.
“From the outset, Alex, who is the Head of PR for Sky Sports, demonstrated an unwavering commitment to my success. Our discussions covered a broad range of topics, including in-depth analyses of industry trends, effective networking strategies, and best practices in PR specifically tailored for the sports sector. Alex’s wealth of experience and knowledge proved invaluable as he shared practical advice and real-world examples to help me understand and navigate the complex world of PR.
The Career Accelerator programme’s impact on my professional development has been immense. The hands-on guidance and personalised feedback from Alex has enabled me to refine my skills and broaden my perspective. As a result, I have gained a newfound sense of confidence and I am better equipped to excel in my career. Moreover, the programme’s extensive network of professionals has provided me with invaluable connections that I am certain will prove beneficial in the long run.
In addition to the mentorship aspect of the programme, I had the opportunity to contribute to the Youth Advisory Board. This experience allowed me to collaborate with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and gain insights into various industries. I found it truly empowering to be part of a group that focused on addressing the challenges faced by young professionals in today’s rapidly evolving workplace.”
Joel
Joel was mentored by Max from Virgin Media O2 in 2022 and is an Incoming BCG Associate.
“I took part in the Career Accelerator LGBTQ+ mentorship programme in spring 2022, after coming across it during the peak of stressing about what life after university would look like.
The ability to have such open and honest conversation with my mentor about this anxiety and uncertainty was incredible, and within months had translated into getting a summer internship at my dream company!
The programme was a key turning point in finding the confidence to take that next step.”
Mitch
Final Year Law Student at The University of York.
“I joined Career Accelerator at the start of the year, enrolling in their LGBT+ programme through their accessible application process. Following several workshops, I was paired with my mentor, an associate from DLA Piper’s Edinburgh office, aligning with my passion for a career in commercial law. Throughout the mentoring programme, I was guided through my application strategy, specifically navigating this as an LGBTQ+ identifying candidate. The mentorship offered me with ongoing support and advice tailored to my individual goals.
The Career Accelerator team consistently seeks to offer accessible opportunities for young individuals from marginalised backgrounds. The comfort I have experienced during this mentorship and my collaboration with the team generally is truly refreshing. Their unwavering dedication to improving access to these opportunities neatly highlights their mission.
I recommend all eligible students to apply.”
Harvey
Medical Student at the University of Bristol.
“For the past 3 months I have had the privilege of participating in the Career Accelerator programme.
During the programme, I was lucky enough to be mentored by the inspiring Stephen Farrell.Stephen gave me an incredible insight into the intersection of finance and pharmaceuticals in his role as Group Finance Business Insights Director of Global BioPharmaceuticals at AstraZeneca.
Stephen supported me in a number of applications and interview preparation (which I am excited to say were successful), as well as giving me an insight into graduate prospects at AstraZeneca.
As I seek to explore my options outside of clinical medicine, and as the first person in my family to go to university, I cannot overstate the value of a mentor from a similar background who has ‘made it’ in the corporate world.”
What our mentees are saying
See all of our video testimonials.
What our mentees are saying
See all of our video testimonials.
Some captured moments
From our events, workshops, assemblies and mentoring sessions.
The businesses and organisations we work with
