Mentoring Programme. Supporting you in planning your professional and personal life through experienced mentors

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1 Mentoring Programme Supporting you in planning your professional and personal life through experienced mentors The mentoring programme is undertaken in partnership with the University of St.Gallen (HSG) and HSG Alumni.

2 Mentoring Guiding principle Who would not appreciate considered advice and sympathetic support? In Homer s The Odyssey, Mentor is a friend of Odysseus. During his absence, Odysseus entrusted him with raising his son Telemachus and presiding over his household. Mentor was Telemachus constant companion and imparted advice and wisdom to him. The personal name Mentor has become synonymous with an exemplary advisor and educator. Integration into the course architecture It is a main objective of the University of St.Gallen to challenge its students and further to foster and encourage their personal development. The course architecture at the University of St.Gallen deliberately sets goals beyond just the transfer of knowledge in order to meet its educational mission. Therefore, new courses have been introduced gradually which go beyond the scope of core studies. The mentoring programme, available to all students at the Bachelor s, Master s and Ph.D. Levels, is an important part of this concept. The mentoring concept at the University of St.Gallen (HSG) As part of the mentoring programme, an experienced, usually older person (mentor) guides a younger person (mentee) in his or her personal development and in enhancing their professional growth. Mentoring is an objective process, but it is also a personal relationship between two people, who work closely together over a longer period of time (around 2 years) and have a regular exchange regarding lifestyles, degree-course progress and career planning. Mutual goodwill and respect are the keys to the relationship being a success. The mentoring programme a partnership between the University and HSG Alumni The mentoring programme is a partnership between the University of St.Gallen and HSG Alumni to promote an exchange of knowledge between university, students and alumni. Over 80% of the mentors who transfer their knowledge and experience are alumnae and alumni of the HSG. Local and national embeddedness The mentoring programme strengthens the local and national embeddedness of the University of St.Gallen within numerous community and professional groups, through the interconnectedness between students and representatives in industry, politics, media, culture and science. The integration of practical elements into the programme not only promotes students personal and professional development, but also enriches university life at the HSG.

3 Programm The approach Voluntary participation and commitment Mentoring can be described as a process within an established timeframe with clearly defined goals based on mutual trust. It relies on the voluntary participation and commitment of the participants. The programme is not just another component in the traditional educational format. The University offers the appropriate framework by establishing first contact after the initial matching process between mentor and mentee, as well as assuming an advisory role for the benefit of all stakeholders. One-to-one mentoring the classical form of a mentoring relationship The mentoring programme at the University of St.Gallen focuses on the personal relationship between mentor and mentee, i.e. a mentor supports one mentee, although in a few cases there might be two or three mentees. Flexibility, a key factor in building the mentoring relationship The extent and focus of the mentoring relationship is agreed exclusively between mentor and mentee. Advice and the topic of conversation are based on the goals and requirements set by the mentees and the capabilities and skills of the mentors. Mentoring process In the first meeting, both parties should clarify their expectations regarding the mentoring relationship, determine the channels and frequency of communication and establish the individual rules for their mentoring relationship. These principles can and should be in the interests of greater commitment, outlined in a written mentoring agreement. At the same time, two requirements have to be met: firstly, the mentorship should be continued at least until the end of the degree course, i.e. until the completion of the Bachelor s, Master s or Ph.D. programme, and secondly, a meeting based on a semester report written by the mentee must be convened once a semester. Ending the mentoring relationship: the mentoring relationship officially ends after two years, but may be continued on a voluntary basis. In a final meeting, both parties should reflect on the preceding two years, and possible future prospects should be addressed. Premature termination of the mentoring relationship is allowed at any time by mutual consent. Information of the programme admini s- tration is requested.

4 Mentoring Mentees role In order to support the development of a sustainable mentoring relationship, students must be aware of their roles and responsibilities as mentees. In addition to hand in semester reports, it is the responsibility of mentees to establish contact with the mentor and actively maintain communication. Furthermore, mentees are obliged to show full commitment to meetings and compliance with agreements. Mentees More than 700 students are admitted to the mentoring programme. Mentees study at the Bachelor s, Master s and Ph.D. Levels, focusing on different core subjects. Christian Opitz, Ph.D. Level, Business Administration (PMA). Since I am both mentee and mentor, I was able to experience the programme from both sides. As a mentee, I could draw on advice from my mentor, who actively supported me in many important matters through his personal experience. In my role as a mentor, I experience first-hand how important it is to motivate young people, to enable them to further develop their professional and personal skills. Andrea Winkelmann, Master s Level, Master in Banking and Finance (MBF). I see mentoring as a type of mutual exchange about decision-making in various situations. It is important to know the objectives and to know oneself in order to identify the means that best serve the relevant situation. When it comes to important life decisions, talking things over with a more experienced person helps me to see things from a more nuanced angle, to develop several different courses of action and ultimately to focus on the aspects that are relevant to me. Nico Frey, Master s Level, Master in International Affairs and Governance (MIA). My mentor has consistently accompanied me during the Bachelor s and Master s degree courses and has given me advice in situations where I had to take difficult decisions. I have very much benefited from his experience, and as a result I have had a more focused approach to preparing for my entry into professional life. Danielle von Rechenberg, Master s Level, Master in Management, Organization Studies and Cultural Theory (MOK). My mentor gives me the benefit of her valuable experience in the inspiring and motivating talks we have. In addition to general guidance, my mentor was able to give me particular support with my Master s thesis, searching for an internship and choosing a job. Over the past two years we have become genuine friends, which is something I wouldn t want to be without. Sandro Kraft, Master s Level, Master in Banking and Finance (MBF). My mentor works in the same field in which I would like to work later on. The conversations with him are always very interesting, as I get valuable tips from him regarding professional and personal skills, as well as the qualities that are needed in the field, in order to to align my courses accordingly.

5 Programm Mentors role Mentors of the University of St.Gallen are individuals with professional experience who assist students in their professional, social and personal orientation. If necessary, they will also help students to plan their professional development in a sensible manner. Guiding and supporting students is initially fixed for a period of two years. Mentors should allocate about three hours per semester for the compulsory semester meeting, as well as being available as a point of contact by phone or . HSG mentors can take on the following roles, as outlined below. As advisors They consider the mentee s goals and discuss what steps are needed so that they can be achieved. HSG mentors ask students to reflect on how they should structure their lives and degree courses, they offer feedback drawn from their personal experience, discuss possible approaches, and subsequently reflect on the results and progress of this process with their mentee. As initiators They open up new perspectives, provide stimuli for goals and paths of development, point out underdeveloped or unrealised potential, as well as reinforcing students ideas and initiatives. A mentor s feedback acts as a catalyst for the development of certain strengths that the student possesses and strives to strengthen the mentee s independent and responsible personal development. As knowledge brokers They can give their assessment of and advice on specific questions posed by the mentee, as well as contributing their own insights and skills through their knowledge and experience.

6 Mentoring According to their roles and beyond HSG mentors can, as experienced partners, perform certain tasks: give advice in specific situations, on pressing issues and current difficulties; discuss career plans and potential obstacles; provide social, professional and business connections; share experiences from their own development and professional practice; provide an insight into daily professional life; take a stance on individual behaviour.

7 Programm Mentors Over mentors from business, politics, media, culture and science more than 80% are HSG Alumni are already involved in the mentoring programme. Markus Mader, Director of the Swiss Red Cross I am delighted to support students during their studies and provide them with advice. I m always impressed by the interests and ideas young people have when starting their professional careers. In my role as mentor, I can encourage my mentees with critical questions for reflection and show them alternative ways. Prof. Dr. Juliane Kokott, Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union and Associate Professor at the University of St.Gallen Mentoring a process which requires a contribution from both parties concerned. On the part of the mentee, it is expected that he or she is prepared to be open and to approach the experienced person, be able to take criticism outlined in conversations and through feedback, and implement the newly acquired experience. On the other hand, the mentor is required to show a considerable amount of empathy for the mentee s problems, as well as the willingness to impart their own experiences. Adrian Rufener, lawyer, notary and part-time judge, St.Gallen I enjoy supporting the students along the path from theory to practice. As well as discussions about their career objectives, professional opportunities, necessary skills, etc., mentoring also offers the possibility of contributing to resolving real issues in everyday life. Doris Egloff, Consultant for entrepreneurial families and organisations My role as a mentor is refreshing and multi-faceted. With my mentees I experience a thrilling synergy effect. Our exchange of knowledge and experience fosters the student s potentials on their way into business life as well as their personal development. In return their topics from the pulse of the time optimally add to my experiences. To get on and grow together motivates me to exchange and collaborate with the young generation.

8 Mentoring How can I participate in the mentoring programme? Registration as a mentor If you would like to become a mentor, you may register online from the beginning of May to mid-september, via the website by following the Registering as a mentor link. Application as a student Students at the Bachelor s, Master s and Ph.D. Levels can apply online from the beginning of the Autumn Semester, via the website by following the Applying as a student link. Matching process Prior to the matching process, prospective mentors outline their ideas and expectations of a mentoring relationship in the registration form. Based on this information, brief profiles of mentors will then be produced. During the application phase, students complete the application form in describing their ideas and expectations regarding the mentoring relationship and attaching their CVs to it. After completing their application form, students have the opportunity to name their three preferred mentors within a preselection of 30 suitable mentors. Due to the amount of applications of students, it is not possible to guarantee the participation within the mentoring programme. Experience of recent years has shown that more than 85% of the assigned mentoring relationships have worked successfully. Nevertheless, it is inevitable that not all preferred choices can be arranged. Ultimately, mentors and mentees are paired on the basis of their outlined profiles, so that those who are best suited to each other can be matched. The allocation of ideal partners is carried out with the help of a special matching software with numerous, differently weighted criteria. After the conclusion of the matching process, mentors and mentees will be informed of the outcome of the allocation, and mentees are asked to contact their respective mentors immediately. The mentoring programme begins with the official kick-off event in mid-november.

9 Programm Registration, application and matching process Calendar University of St.Gallen Registration, mentors Beginning of May mid-september Online registration Beginning of Autumn Semester Application, mentees During the first two weeks Online application Matching Mid-October end of October Allocation of the mentoring partners Kick-off event Mid-November Official start of the mentoring programme

10 Programme administration Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schmid Professor of Russian Culture and Society Academic Leadership of the mentoring programme Pascale Lutz, M.Sc. Master of Science in Psychology Head of the mentoring programme University of St.Gallen (HSG) Mentoring Programme Dufourstrasse 50 CH-9000 St.Gallen Tel.: +41 (0) Fax: +41 (0) Web: Universität St.Gallen (HSG) Bilder: Daniel Ammann, Markus Leutwyler, Marketing und Kommunikation, Christof Sonderegger EFMD