Mayor becomes mentor for one lucky student

The Mayor of Redbridge has become the business mentor for a Redbridge College student on the prestigious Career Academy programme.

Councillor Thomas Chan came into the college last Thursday (11 February) to speak to all the students on the programme and have his first one-to-one session with lucky student Sharnte Clark-Varma.

Sharnte, 18, will get support and advice from the Mayor on coursework and life skills, as well as getting involved in some of the visits and activities that the Mayor undertakes.

The Career Academy offers ambitious, top-performing students the chance to study additional modules, get a paid internship during the summer holidays and attend work-site visits and seminars. Each student is also linked to a top business professional who becomes their mentor for the year.

Mr Mayor said, “It is great being able to come here and give the students some food for thought in terms of their future. Mentoring and coming to speak to these students has brought two-way benefits: we have been motivated and inspired by each other.”

Sharnte, who is studying the National Diploma in Business level 3, added, “I’m so pleased that I have got the Mayor as my mentor! I think this will definitely help me with my career path and give me a better understanding of what I want to do in the future.”