Chief inspector provides careers advice to student in mentorship scheme

Sophie Glynn, studying Social Policy at the University, has been matched with Chief Inspector David Henthorne from Greater Manchester Police, under the social science industry mentorship scheme which has seen fellow students paired up with homelessness charities, NHS trusts and organisations working to improve healthcare standards in Uganda.

Chief Insp Henthorne has set up monthly meetings with Sophie where he has provided her with advice on improving her CV and talked about her career goals.

He is also now arranging work experience within Salford’s Youth Offending Service and Neighbourhood Management Teams.

Sophie, aged 26, said: “When I heard about the mentoring scheme I knew I wanted to work with someone from the police, but I was expecting someone from admin – I certainly didn’t expect anyone this senior.

“It’s given me a real confidence boost to have somebody as high up as this come in from outside the University and provide one-to-one advice. It’s given me a very fresh perspective on what I want to do with my career.”

The scheme was the brainchild of Caroline Jones, lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Salford, who said: “Having a mentor, particularly someone in a senior role, provides a huge benefit in helping students think about how what they’re learning on the course and how it can be applied in the real world.

“The course is all about how public and voluntary organisations interact with people and we try to give our students as much experience of those organisations as possible.”

Chief Inspector Dave Henthorne from Greater Manchester Police, said: “Having been involved with Salford University for many years now, it’s personally very rewarding to be able to be able to provide some guidance and support to a student just embarking on their chosen career. I hope that this experience can assist people like Sophie into a career path, which is both rewarding and enriching.”