Empowering 18-30 year old LGBT+ young people for successful careers through LGBT+ inclusive business mentoring.

young woman sitting and smiling

LGBT+ business youth mentoring opportunity

Career Accelerator runs LGBT+ business youth mentoring programmes 3 times a year – across Autumn Term (late September-December), Spring Term (late January-April) and Summer Term (late April-July).

Our programmes support 18-30 year old LGBT+ people prepare for careers in professional sectors. We do this through arranging 1:1 business mentoring led by LGBT+ mentors and allies at LGBT+ inclusive companies, such as LinkedIn, Snapchat, AstraZeneca, Pearson and GoCardless over 3 months.

Applications are on a rolling basis and places are allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Everyone who completes this sign up form will be invited to an informal, friendly interview with Jhanay from Career Accelerator. Interviews will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

All your responses in this form are confidential and won’t be shared with anyone else.

If you have any questions about joining the programme feel free to book a call with Career Accelerator’s Youth Programme Manager Jhanay Otto here.

Why our LGBT+ Programme exists for young people

A quarter of LGBT+ young adults go back into the closet after starting work, and many earn less than straight peers.

Just Like Us

PWC has found that 78% of LGBT+ people and their friends, family and relatives would switch to brands that are known to be LGBT+ friendly.

PWC

Stonewall’s research highlighted that LGBT+ people are not receiving careers guidance about careers and workplaces that are LGBT+ inclusive.

Stonewall

Stonewall has highlighted that an LGBT+ person’s assumptions about how safe or inclusive a workplace is will significantly narrow the career paths they will consider.

Stonewall

The aims of our LGBT+ mentoring programme:

  • Learn about LGBT+ inclusive jobs in professional sectors.
  • Develop ambitious, realistic career goals and make steps to achieve them.
  • Build your professional network.
  • Build your confidence and appreciate your value as an LGBT+ young person.
  • Navigate being a young LGBT+ person finding employment and progressing in it.

How our LGBT+ Programme works

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Sign Up

Career Accelerator runs LGBT+ business youth mentoring programmes in collaboration with LGBT+ young people aged 18-30 and LGBT+ business mentors and allies.

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Interview

We work with cohorts of mentors per quarter and connect LGBT+ business mentors and allies up with bright, hard working LGBT+ young people who would like and value mentoring.

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Training

For mentors we offer a 2 hour training session. For mentees we offer a 1 hour mentee training session where mentees can network with the other LGBT+ mentees.

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Support

Career Accelerator takes care of selecting the LGBT+ mentees, training the mentors and mentees, supporting with session ideas and putting together impact reports, leaving business mentors to focus on the impactful mentoring.

The impact of our programme

Our latest post-programme survey results 2022.

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80% of mentees agreed that the Career Accelerator Programme has increased their understanding of LGBT+ inclusive companies and jobs.

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100% of mentees feel confident in their ability to create aspirational career goals.

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80% of mentees agreed that the Career Accelerator programme has helped them build their professional network.

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100% of the mentees would recommend the Career Accelerator programme to another young LGBT+ person.

Get involved

See where our mentees are now or sign up to get involved as a mentee.

CASE STUDIESSIGN UP HERE TO BE A MENTEE

What our Mentees and Mentors have to say

Alex was an excellent mentor who helped me to better my understanding of how to network, how to structure my CV, and how to make important decisions about the beginning of my career. It was great networking with a LGBT+ professional that has succeeded, and being able to have this role model.

 

 

 

 

Matt

Mentored by Alex at Google

I think it is really useful to gain some insight about careers and LGBT+ careers specifically outside of the bubble that we operate in. It is great to have the opportunity to hear about different types of jobs and different pathways and it has certainly given me plenty to think about with regards to my future career.

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte

Mentored by Michaela at VirginMedia O2

I have definitely gained in confidence in terms of going after opportunities with confidence and knowing that if I have gaps, I can upskill in them. Lou has been a brilliant mentor. I am inspired by the experiences and mindset she’s shared around her own career and I will definitely be channeling more of her bold ‘go for it, then up-skill after’ approach!.

 

 

 

 

 

Florence

Mentored by Lou at Google

My mentor was amazing in helping me to understand what it was reasonable to expect from my employer, how to ask for changes, and how I could reach my goals. My LinkedIn network has expanded, with many new connections being members of the programme.

 

 

Conal

Mentored by Emily at Wise

It’s definitely boosted my confidence and encouraged me to keep pushing and pursuing my dreams and goals. I now have just got a job as a digital marketing apprentice and that wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the support that I have been offered from the Career Accelerator Programme and also my lovely mentor.

 

 

 

 

 

Anna

Mentored by Kate at VirginMedia O2

We set up achievable goals for me in both my current role as a freelancer and my future business that I am looking to set up. The best part of the program was meeting Zorica and talking to someone else who has freelance experience.

 

 

 

 

 

Katrina

Mentored by Zorica at Wise

What our mentees are saying

See all of our video testimonials.

Video Testimonial - Parineeta

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Video Testimonial - Mohamed

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Video Testimonial - William

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Video Testimonial - Tanya

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Video Testimonial - Charlotte

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What our mentees are saying

See all of our video testimonials.

Video Testimonial - Parineeta

Q

Some captured moments

From our events, workshops, assemblies and mentoring sessions.

Let’s chat
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The businesses and organisations we work with