Coffee Connect: conversations that open doors

What is Coffee Connect?

Coffee Connect is our award-winning mentoring programme, delivered in partnership with the University's Careers Centre. It is designed to support students and recent graduates by fostering connection, inspiration, and shared experience. Through the programme, we match mentors and mentees for conversations that can spark new ideas, build confidence, and open doors. Since its launch in September 2020, more than 5,000 alumni, students and parents have signed up to enjoy a relaxed chat over a virtual coffee.

The programme was recognised as Graduate Employability Initiative of the Year at the 2026 China-Scotland Business Awards and won Gold in the 2026 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards. 

How does Coffee Connect work?

Once you register, we will match mentors with a current student or recent graduate, and vice versa for those who are registering as mentees. It's a great way to give back, share advice, and grow your professional network.

All matches are considered on an individual basis and are typically based on industry, or desired industry, then subject of study.

It's quick and easy to get involved via the steps below.

A blue graphic featuring three logos - one for Coffee Connect, one for Saint Connect, and one for the University of St Andrews

How do I register?

Log in or sign up to the Saint Connect platform.

Once signed in, select 'Connections and Mentoring', then scroll down to find the Coffee Connect 2026–2027 group.

  1. Once you find the group, click to join as a mentor (or mentee if you are a recent graduate) and then complete the relevant, brief application form by Friday 23 October 2026.

  2. All mentoring relationships will be made through Saint Connect, St Andrews’ global, online community for students, alumni and friends of the University. 

  3. We’ll use your application to connect you with a student or graduate with a similar background or interest.

  4. We’ll alert you via an email notification through Saint Connect (week beginning 26 October) when you’ve been matched with your mentor or mentee. Your connection can also be found on Saint Connect by selecting My Connections from the 'Connections and Mentoring' tab on the left-hand side of the page.

  5. You’ll have until the end of November to connect and explore whether the mentoring match is a good fit for both of you. Once the programme finishes, you are welcome to stay in touch through SaintConnect should you wish to continue the connection.

  6. At the end of Coffee Connect, we'll invite you complete a short survey about your experience. Afterwards, be sure to reflect on your Coffee Connect chat, use Saint Connect to grow your network, and reach out to us at saintconnect@st-andrews.ac.uk if you have any questions. We are here to help!

Hear from our participants

"I loved being a mentor as part of Coffee Connect because it gave me a chance to connect with an amazing first-year student and hear about their ambitions and plans for the future. It was a privilege to be able to share my own experiences, offer guidance, and help my mentee shape some of those ideas for the coming years of their student life and career. At the same time, the experience reminded me of what it felt like to be a student at St Andrews again. Mentoring gave me a real sense of pride in being able to give back to the St Andrews community and support my mentee in their academic and career pursuits."

Sopna Nair (MA 2008)

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"Coffee Connect is a great way to stay in touch with University of St Andrews and share advice with the next generation of students. "

Constantin Eckner (MLitt 2015; PhD 2021)

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"Partaking in Coffee Connect opened the door for rewarding conversations with highly successful alumni and allowed me to strengthen my network of professional connections. My mentor was excited to talk to me about my goals, offer resources, and give advice on how to advance in my undergraduate career. Overall, the experience was very positive. "

Isabel Spielberger (BA International Honours 2026)

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"I'm happy to have taken part in multiple Coffee Connect sessions over the past few years and am excited for the next session as these are great opportunities to give back to the University, empower the next generation and shed light on alternative career paths."

Juliette Renaut (MA 2019)

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