Making the leap from university into a career in the built environment can feel challenging and, at times, overwhelming. The Ground Forum believes that mentoring is one of the best ways to support this transition.
Our Undergraduate Mentoring Programme provides encouragement, guidance, and real-world insights for students considering a career in the geotechnical sector. The scheme reflects Ground Forum’s core mission: to promote the geotechnical and wider construction industries as rewarding career choices, while also supporting the retention of talent already within them.
The programme is now open for applications for the 2026–27 academic year. – Please complete application form found here. (Applications close 31st October 2026)
If you are interested in joining as an industry mentor or offering a work experience opportunity, please contact us at gforum@ground-forum.org.uk.
We welcome applications from all students and are especially keen to hear from those currently under-represented in our sector, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic students, women, students from disadvantaged backgrounds, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities.
How does the programme work?
The Ground Forum, which brings together trade associations across the Ground Engineering industry, connects students in higher education with experienced mentors.
- The programme begins with an online welcome event in Autumn 2026, and introductions to your mentor.
- Mentors and mentees then arrange regular catch-ups, online or in person, to suit their schedules.
- Students benefit from career-focused online workshops, including CV writing and interview skills.
- Work experience opportunities are also available with Ground Forum member companies.
- All students are encouraged to join LinkedIn to expand their professional network, strengthen industry connections, and share in a growing community across the Ground Engineering sector.
Who is the programme for?
This programme is for students who are curious about careers in construction and geotechnical engineering, and who would benefit from mentorship, career advice, and professional connections. Mentors bring industry expertise and insight, helping students to:
- Build confidence in their career decisions.
- Understand the opportunities and rewards within the industry.
- Gain exposure to multidisciplinary project teams and future career pathways.
Testimonials from previous mentees:
“I joined the Ground Forum Mentoring Programme as an MSc Engineering Geology student with no UK industry experience. Over the year, I held monthly meetings with my mentor, Ebenezer Adenmosun of GEOFIRMA, and attended the CV and interview webinars, Julian Lovell’s soil description workshop, and a site visit in East London to observe pile testing. The programme concluded with a week working through GEOFIRMA’s project material for two live sites, reviewing the borehole logs, SPT data, and pile calculations with the engineers who prepared them, and with the chance to ask questions as I went.
Two things made it worth more than the time I put in. The feedback was direct; I was told plainly where my understanding stopped and what a graduate is expected to know, which was more useful to me than encouragement. The introductions kept going; through the Ground Forum, I got to know the BGA Early Careers Group, which led to a site visit where I saw CFA piling and secant wall piles being installed. I would recommend the programme to any student trying to move from a degree into practice.” Ebikienmo Progress John (Kien), MSc Engineering Geology, University of Portsmouth, 2025 to 2026 cohort
