An alumnus of the Sutton Trust Pathways to Law programme, has won a prestigious award for his mentoring work.

University of Exeter law student, Joel Wish, 19, has won this year’s student mentor of the year award from Brightside, the charity which also provides an e-mentoring platform for students on the Pathways to Law. This award is given to a mentor who has delivered exceptional mentoring support, shown great commitment and dedication and has ‘gone the extra mile’. Joel was up against 43 other nominees.

“Joel went beyond his role as an individual mentor to his mentees, by taking on a leadership role for the whole project, acting as a students’ representative, and taking part in pilot projects within the Pathways to Law programme at Exeter,” said Edward Read, Project Manager at Brightside. “His dedication to the programme and his mentees, as well as those of others on the programme, really stood out to the panel.”

Joel was nominated by the Scheme Coordinate at his University. Joel was a former Pathways to Law student when he was doing his A Levels. He had the opportunity to engage with leading law academics, meet like-minded students and network with top law firms. “I was really glad I got onto the Pathways to Law programme,” he said. “Having a placement at a top city firm was very useful and helped me to imagine myself as a lawyer.”

“After attending the Pathways to Law programme, I wanted to give back to the Programme. I also enjoy listening to young people, seeing them grow and developing a bond with them.

“My brother and sister are teachers and their experience showed me the difference that a mentor might make. Teaching is one of those professions in which you can genuinely interact with pupils and help to improve outcomes for them.

“I have three mentees. For one of them, I offered advice on how to write a personal statement and potential universities to which he might apply. I am pleased that he got an offer at the University of Exeter. I like to think I helped him with that.

“My third mentee didn’t want to go to university. She wasn’t sure whether to go into employment. I researched a clerk position for her in Exeter. We got her an apprenticeship in a local court. It was great we could get a position for her.”

“We are over the moon with his achievements,” said Binda Patel, Sutton Trust Head of Programmes. “Joel is a fantastic ambassador for our Pathways to Law programme – he embodies the qualities we try to instil in the students we work with and we hope the programme has empowered him with the skills and knowledge to navigate higher education and legal profession.”

In the Brightside programme, participants are matched to undergraduate mentors who support them with UCAS applications, selecting universities and general advice.

Applications for the Pathways programmes are now open! If you’d like to join Joel and 6,000+ students who have completed Pathways programmes, click here.

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