Mentoring Program

Eine Frau steht vor einem Whiteboard, auf dem eine Hand schreibt

Photo: UHH

What is it about?

The transfer of knowledge from experience, industry know-how and the generation of concrete perspectives by professionally experienced mentors are particularly relevant. Because the mentor stands for "the voice from professional practice" with "an outsider's view and assessment".

For whom is it suitable?

Female students in the final phase of their studies (from the 5th semester Bachelor or from the 3rd semester Master) and graduates who have completed their studies for a maximum of one year (and are in the transition phase between studies and work) can apply.

The offer is aimed at people with gender entry f (cis and trans). The mentoring is based on the diversity characteristics of the Universität Hamburg and wants to address talents in their diversity and differences, strengthen them and provide impetus for successful career transitions from studies to work.

We are therefore particularly pleased to receive applications from students and graduates from a wide variety of disciplines, backgrounds and origins, which make the diversity of CVs at the UHH visible.

What does mentoring mean?

Mentoring focuses on the individual professional and personal development of the mentee. Mentoring refers to an intergenerational, supportive learning relationship between two people with different experience and expertise. Specifics of this relationship are mutual voluntariness, the voluntary commitment of the mentor and special confidentiality, taking into account defined framework conditions.

Mentoring is a tried-and-tested and proven successful career development tool, including for the transition phase between studies and work. Mentoring measures are receiving increasing attention as part of a wide range of career and talent development measures at universities.

The Universität Hamburg was a leader in the implementation of innovative mentoring offers for women in various status passages with the expert advice network/mentoring until 2018. Since 2019, a specifically diversity-oriented offer has been carried out under the umbrella of the UHH Career Center, which bundles and further develops research results and experiences from previous programs against the background of a "diversity climate".

Goal of the mentoring program

The aim of the mentoring program is to improve the chances of students and graduates from a wide range of backgrounds for an adequate career start through managers with practical experience who will accompany you individually on your way to your first job. The heterogeneity of the educational biographies of mentees should be used in an active, interdisciplinary network of mentees and mentors to enrich and broaden perspectives.

The diverse mentee group is intended to contribute to reducing social inequality in terms of access opportunities, for example due to multiple impairments. The personal, dialogue-oriented exchange with other or new female "role models" serves to encourage and broaden perspectives and at the same time contribute to strengthening a "culture of engagement".

Application process

The current application process has been completed. As soon as the new mentoring program is launched, you will find more information here.

The female mentors

The mentors are professionally successful and experienced executives from business, science, administration or the so-called third sector. Her voluntary commitment and interest is to use her professional and personal experience to promote women's career entry and professional advancement.

The mentor acts independently of the university or business environment. As an external, neutral partner, she can speak to the mentee free of personal obligations or institutional considerations and offer the mentee the opportunity to get to know other corporate cultures and strategies. In addition, the mentee has the opportunity to get to know a different, practice-oriented "perspective" that is independent of one's own family environment and circle of friends.

Statement from a mentor, Ulrike Janus, Head of Human Resources

"I was very impressed by the first meeting, by the nature and skills of my mentee. [...] That's why I gave the green light for the other meetings. [...] I have a few approaches and ideas for the next meetings that I would like to share my mentee would like to discuss and reflect on."

The mentees

For successful mentoring, the mentee is expected to actively shape the mentoring relationship. Their tasks include coordinating appointments, developing suggested topics and questions, and learning to formulate their wishes and expectations. In addition, close cooperation with the project office is expected, which includes, among other things, proactive, continuous feedback from the mentees in order to ensure the monitoring and evaluation of the mentoring.

The mentee also has the opportunity to actively expand their networks. To this end, it is planned to have all mentees organize a joint, smaller "project" that supports their career entry. The mentee group decides for itself on the content and scope. Examples of such a project can be a regular get-together, an event on a specific topic or a prepared visit to a company. The project center can support the mentee's project with other partners if necessary.

Statement from a mentee, Faculty of Education and Humanities: Multilingualism and education

"For me, taking part in the mentoring program means having the opportunity to exchange ideas with a female manager. I have networked with a person who I probably would not have met otherwise, who gives me valuable tips and who is a role model for me I am very grateful for this enrichment!"