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Mentor Review

at City Year UK

Placement (10 Months+)

Voluntary

Dagenham RM10 7UR, UK

Review Submitted: July 2026

Overall Rating

3.7 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

4/5 - Overview of Role
4/5 - Skills Development
2.5/5 - Support and Guidance
3/5 - Company Culture
5/5 - Overall Experience
5/5 - Future Career Prospects

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.

In this role, I would work as part of a team to support pupils in their learning, wellbeing, and personal development. Day to day, this involves building positive relationships with students, providing one-to-one or small-group academic support, encouraging good attendance and engagement, helping to create a positive classroom environment, and working closely with teachers and school staff. The role also includes planning and delivering activities, monitoring students' progress, communicating effectively with colleagues, and acting as a positive role model. Overall, the aim is to help young people overcome barriers to learning, build confidence, and achieve their potential while contributing to a supportive and inclusive school community.

Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?

Yes, I was trusted with a good level of responsibility throughout my placement. I worked independently on assigned tasks while also collaborating with my team when needed. My responsibilities included managing my workload, meeting deadlines, communicating with colleagues, and taking ownership of projects from start to finish. As I became more confident, I was given additional responsibilities and opportunities to contribute ideas and solve problems. The experience helped me develop my organisational, communication, and teamwork skills, as well as my confidence in working in a professional environment.

Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was

4/5

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?

Yes, during my placement I developed a range of both new and existing skills. I improved my communication skills by working with different people and adapting my approach to suit different situations. I also strengthened my teamwork skills by collaborating with colleagues to achieve shared goals. In addition, I became more organised and improved my time management by prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines. I gained confidence in problem-solving and taking initiative when faced with challenges, while also becoming more comfortable accepting feedback and using it to improve my performance. Overall, the experience helped me become more confident, adaptable, and professional in the workplace.

How would you rate the training provided during your experience?

3/5

How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?

5/5

How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?

3/5

Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development

5/5

Support and Guidance

How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?

I received a moderate level of support during my placement. I was given guidance when I needed it and could ask questions if I was unsure about anything. At the same time, I was encouraged to work independently and take responsibility for my tasks. This helped me build my confidence while still having support available when necessary.

How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?

3/5

How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?

2/5

Company Culture

What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?

The company culture was quite structured, and the atmosphere was generally quiet. Support was available when needed, but there wasn't a great deal of interaction or collaboration on a day-to-day basis. Although it wasn't the most engaging environment, it gave me the opportunity to develop my skills and gain practical experience.

How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?

3/5

How would you rate the social opportunities?

3/5

How would you rate the diversity initiatives?

2/5

How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?

4/5

Overall Experience

To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?

I enjoyed my placement to some extent. While there were aspects that I found interesting, there were also parts that were more repetitive or challenging. Overall, it was a valuable experience because it helped me gain practical workplace experience, develop new skills, and understand what it's like to work in a professional environment.

Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship

5/5

Please rate how your experience met your expectations

5/5

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend City Year UK to a friend?

Yes

What advice would you give to others applying to City Year UK

I would advise others applying to City Year UK to be open-minded, committed, and willing to learn. It is important to show that you are passionate about supporting young people and able to work as part of a team. I would also recommend researching the role beforehand, being prepared to take on different responsibilities, and making the most of the training and experiences provided. The placement can be challenging at times, but being adaptable and maintaining a positive attitude will help you get the most out of the experience. Try a lot of opportunities

Future Career Prospects

Please rate the future employment prospects at City Year UK

5/5

Did you receive an offer to return as a graduate?

Waiting to hear
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