The ADBE Industry Mentoring Programme is a 3-month programme targeted at our final year undergraduate and postgraduate students in the school of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. Students who apply to the programme are matched with one of our Alumni Industry Fellows - NTU alumni and industry partners who work in a relevant field and who have agreed to volunteer their time to support NTU students.
Students and mentors receive an initial briefing and are given a mentoring guide including resources to help them make the most of the mentoring experience. Once they have been matched up, the students and mentors will arrange to meet regularly, with a minimum of 5 contact hours expected. This year the programme ran between January and April. Mentors can support students with a wide range of topics including building their commercial awareness, developing their career plans, giving them insights into the world of work, advising them on jobhunting and CVs, helping them to set personal and professional targets, and increasing their confidence, motivation and networking skills.
For the 2024 project, we successfully matched 63 NTU students with Alumni and Industry Fellows. The feedback was very positive, with levels of employability confidence increasing by 14% between the start and end of the programme. The areas with the highest increase in confidence were "I have access to a network of people and contacts who will be helpful to me in my future career" and "I feel confident to create professional relationships either online or in person" - both statements seeing a 50%+ increase in confidence levels.
"The 2024 ADBE Industry Mentoring programme has been an extremely positive experience for over 60 of our final year students, helping them to create valuable industry connections and benefit from unique insights, advice and mentoring support which has given them a real boost as they prepare for the next steps of their career. We are extremely grateful to all of our Alumni and Industry Fellows for giving their time and expertise to support our students and look forward to the programme continuing to grow and develop.
Chris Jones, School Employability Manager, ADBE
Student story: Kafasis Konstantinos
Why did you get involved with the mentoring programme?
As I was studying in the NTU towards an MSc in Construction Management, I felt nervous and uncertain about my employability and future career. I was questioning how my degree would align with my career prospects and in what positions I could be in the construction industry. I needed insight from people who have worked in the industry to reassure me about these things and to boost my confidence.
How did your mentor help you?
It was the perfect time when I met my mentor, as I had my first interview for a job. The moment I got his contact details, I emailed him and we talked for over an hour on the phone, as I would have the interview the next week. He guided me on how I should approach the interview, informed me about the company, which he knew, and told me to focus on being real and honest, and that was the most important part.
With his help, I got the position and we rescheduled a meeting so I could thank him and discuss my next steps, and any questions I had regarding the construction industry, which I was about to enter.
What are your future plans?
To develop in the company I am right now, (Balfour Beatty), and become a professional engineer with valuable knowledge.
What advice would you give to a future student considering taking part in the mentoring programme?
There is nothing you can lose, you can only gain. Speaking with people who have knowledge and experience is the best thing you can give to you at this moment.
Student story: Vivien Mahmoud
Vivien Mahmoud (BArch Architecture students) shares her experiences of the industry mentoring that she secured through winning an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) themed competition in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment.
Vivien and her mentor Ellie from ISG
Background to the mentoring
I got connected to my mentor through the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) Competition last year, run by the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. The competition was a brilliant opportunity for me to voice my ideas, increase my engagement within the university, and broaden my network, opening the door to the industry.
The brief challenged us to produce artworks campaigning on the themes of "I Belong Here and My Voice Matters", which we presented to the judges from NTU and industry representatives. Mentoring was one of the prizes provided by the sponsoring companies for the winners. Right after the competition, Dr Anthony Ogbuokiri assigned me to ISG Construction, and I was approached by my mentor, Ellie Arnold, who was ISG’s Design Manager.
What did the mentoring involve?
We had a one-hour mentoring session every month. Through Ellie, I learned what is happening in a construction company, which fascinated me in terms of how various parties work hand in hand together, dedicating their hard work into each project. Ellie, together with the design manager team, was responsible to connect everyone, from the architects, planners, quantity surveyors, to the mechanical engineering team, maintaining a regular communication to achieve the best result in terms of the project triangle - time, cost, and quality.
In one of the four sessions we had, I was fortunate to be given the chance to visit their office in Bradford. It was an eye-opening experience, as Ellie arranged one-to-one talks with the project manager, digital construction manager, planner, social value manager, and lead design manager. All of them were amazing in their different roles with different responsibilities, while working together well as a team. Furthermore, Ellie and I looked at the communication with the client, soft and hard skills needed, design decisions, RIBA stages, and other operational / technical details she learned going to the industry. Aside from that, conversations regarding her personal experience transitioning from undergraduate studies in architecture technology to starting her career journey were as valuable and impactful for my overall experience.
What benefit do you think you gained from having a mentor?
I had numerous meaningful and insightful discussions with Ellie. She guided me, as a first-year student, to be more certain with the built environment industry. Not only did she answer my countless questions, but also provided in-depth explanations. This mentorship experience has made me believe that I am capable of tackling challenges in my architecture studies, and pursuing the career I have been dreaming of once I graduate.
What are your future plans?
After my studies, I am looking to work as an Architectural Assistant for several years. I believe it is essential to challenge my passion before going into the next stages of architectural education. I wish to continue to explore architecture through firms whose values I align with, which focus around the community, culture, and environment.
After gaining experience, my biggest dream has always been to preserve vernacular architecture, especially those of my culture, Indonesia, continuing to apply their rich values into contemporary architecture. This mentoring experience convinced me to keep taking baby steps to my goals, increasing my knowledge and mental confidence to work with other teams within construction in the future.
Student story: Louis Kamphete
Why did you get involved with the mentoring programme?
I got involved in the mentoring programme because as an International student I needed to understand the UK construction Industry beyond just academically, especially because my intention has always been to work and gain experience in UK.
How did your mentor help you?
My mentor helped me understand both general and finner details of the UK construction industry for early careers. My passion and ambition increased by each meeting I had with him. He encouraged me to ask and research more. He connected me to different companies and I managed to land on a job. He has been my compus direction.
What are your future plans?
My future plan is to work here in the UK and gain experience whilst giving my expertise and value to the organisation I work for. I have learnt a lot in class with many hands-on workshops, gained some mentorship, I need to put both of these in practice at work and grow in my career.
What advice would you give to a future student considering taking part in the mentoring programme?
I would encourage them. I would say "go for it, you never know what or who may help kickstart your career." I would further say, It's always good practice to have someone who can lead the way for you or open your eyes before you can walk on your own.
Student story: Gracia Anyiam-Osigwe
For the second year running, NTU has worked in collaboration with Fortitude Advisory, a global network of construction industry professionals committed to supporting the next generation of talent into the industry. In November 2024 we launched the programme to our students through an online webinar with Fortitude members on "Building a Successful Career in the Built Environment". We were delighted that two students from the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment were selected to take place on the 24/25 programme - the only students from UK-based universities in the exclusive 2025 Global Cohort. One of these students, Gracia, gives an overview of her experience below.
Why did you get involved with the programme?
The Fortitude Programme offered a unique opportunity to gain mentorship from established professionals across the global built environment industry. I got involved because I recognised the potential to sharpen my leadership skills, refine my career direction, and gain real-world insight into the sector while still completing my degree. As an international student, I also saw it as a chance to connect with mentors who could help me navigate both local and global career pathways, making the most of my final year at university.
What did the programme involve and how did you benefit from it?
The programme offered a well-structured development journey for our cohort. Each participant was matched with an experienced mentor based on career goals and professional interests. I was personally mentored by Emma Davies (Director at AtkinsRéalis, RICS APC Assessor), whose guidance was transformative. I also had one-on-one conversations with Thomas Gannon (Global Head of Design & Construction and President of Fortitude Advisory) and Anthony Abana (Fortitude Advisor and Founding Member). They helped me reflect deeply on my career aspirations and worked with me to set clear, actionable goals. Through regular Zoom seminars, mentoring calls, and cohort-wide workshops, I gained a deeper understanding of how to prioritise long-term impact, improve personal branding, and manage leadership responsibilities. The tailored nature of the programme encouraged me to reflect on what motivates me professionally, helping me become more focused and confident in my academic and career decisions.
What are your future plans and how has the programme helped you with these?
I’m focused on a career that bridges property development, regeneration, and sustainable construction where I can lead interdisciplinary projects that create long-term social and environmental value. This path allows me to align my passion for urban transformation with my skills in leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. The Fortitude Programme helped me clarify both short-term and long-term goals by providing a structured approach to career planning. Conversations with my mentor and the wider cohort gave me clarity on the types of graduate roles that align with my strengths, and the programme gave me the confidence to pursue them.
What advice would you give to a future student considering taking part in the programme?
The Fortitude Programme is an exceptional platform to build confidence, direction, and global perspective as you prepare for life after university. It gives you access to diverse and supportive mentors who are genuinely invested in your success. If you are ready to take ownership of your personal and professional growth, this programme will help you build the mindset and networks needed to succeed. Be open, consistent, and proactive. This is more than mentoring; it is an investment in your future.
Student story: Afia Peprah
Real Estate student Afia Peprah took part in our Black Leadership Programme (BLP) in 2023/24. The BLP is a unique opportunity for second-year students from Black heritage backgrounds to connect with fellow students, develop skills, and build their leadership profiles.
Why did you get involved with the programme?
As an international student with a different cultural background from the UK, I wanted to connect with like-minded individuals. This led me to join the Black Leadership Programme, and it has been an amazing journey ever since. I've acquired a wealth of invaluable experiences such as being confidence.
How did the programme help you overall?
The Black Leadership Programme significantly boosted my confidence. Additionally, it taught me that I can confidently enter a room with high-ranking individuals and achieve anything I set my mind to, as long as I remain disciplined.
How did your mentor help you?
During a time when I was searching for an industry internship, my mentor reached out through an email to get to know me better. He showed genuine concern for my well-being and was eager to assist in any way possible. His advice on securing an internship was greatly treasured, and with his support, I managed to gain some industry work experience.
What are your future plans?
As a final-year student, my plan after earning my first degree is to take my APC and become a Chartered Surveyor with the RICS. This qualification will allow me to leverage my invaluable and insightful knowledge to make significant improvements in every space I enter.
What advice would you give to a future student considering taking part in the programme?
Absolutely, go for it! It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with people of similar ethnicity, which is quite rare. I formed some wonderful friendships through this programme, and you can too! Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your thoughts. This experience will boost your confidence and help you realise your inner strength to achieve anything you desire in life.
Mentor story: Colin
Colin is an Alumni Fellow on the Alumni and Industry Fellowship Programme, he recently became a gold badge holder after volunteering over 50 hours of his time to the students at NTU. Colin is a retired Construction Executive previously having worked for companies such as Morgan Sindall, Kier and Interserve.
Both Kostas and Louis have been great to work with and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of supporting them as they launch their careers within quality organisations and coaching them in CV, interview technique and industry culture.
Contact Chris Jones, our School Employability Manager to find out more about our ADBE Industry Mentoring Programme.