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.
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.
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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
r­ elationship 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
­ entoring relationship, determine the channels and frequency of communication
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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 admini­s­
tration is requested.
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.”
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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 e-mail. 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 develop-
ment, 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.
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.
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Mentors
Over 1’000 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.”
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 www.mentoring.unisg.ch 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 www.mentoring.unisg.ch 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 appli­
cation 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.
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Registration, application and matching process
Calendar
University of St.Gallen
Registration, mentors
Beginning of May –
mid-September
Beginning of
Autumn Semester
Online registration
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
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)71 224 75 30
Fax: +41 (0)71 224 30 89
E-mail:[email protected]
Web:www.mentoring.unisg.ch
EFMD
© 2011 Universität St.Gallen (HSG)
Bilder: Daniel Ammann, Markus Leutwyler, Marketing und Kommunikation, Christof Sonderegger
Programme administration