Framework and commitment
The mentor/mentee relationship is a framework for professional and personal career development for both parties.
The individual mentoring teams are primarily responsible for the quality and benefits of the relationship. The mentee is responsible for the content of the conversation, and the mentor for the framework and process. It is important that both parties are clear about their role and match their expectations for the mentoring process, including confidentiality.
Human Resource Service/the Consultancy Group manages the mentoring scheme and matches mentors and mentees. HR builds a directory of volunteer mentors, which is used for matching. In the introductory programme, the mentoring scheme is offered to new leaders. When matching, we ensure that there is no reference between mentor and mentee. We match qualitatively, i.e. you are matched with a mentor/mentee whom we – in collaboration with you – assess as having potential for a fruitful collaboration.
The mentor and mentee themselves agree on the frequency of meetings. The expected number of meetings is approx. 2-4 meetings of 2 hours in one year. A mentor/mentee relationship is expected to last one year, but can be extended by appointment.
There is the option of sparring with a consultant from HR.
What can you get out of being a mentor
You enter a space where you try out and develop all aspects of the professional conversation. You work with your skills to develop and motivate others. Your mentee delivers the content – what he/she wants to work with – and you are responsible for the framework of the individual conversation and the ongoing process. Explore your mentee’s career considerations together, build new perspectives, test scenarios and use your career overview.
Through your mentee, get a window into the next generations at the University and pass on your own experiences.
Be challenged about knowledge, aspirations and competencies. In the process, you will articulate your own experience and knowledge. It raises your awareness and recognition of your own competences and future development opportunities.
You can network with other mentors to work on your mentoring role and the reflections you get from being a mentor.
What can you get out of being a mentee
A mentor is an independent and confidential conversation partner who is not part of your daily life and with whom you have no reference relationship. Explore your career strategy and try out scenarios before putting them into practice. You can discuss topics that you would not discuss with a colleague or your boss.
When you talk to your mentor about your ambitions and values in your working life, your mentor’s input will allow for clarification and subsequent reflection and realisation. It gives you a starting point for your further professional and personal development.
Use the programme as a starting point for personal and career development. Uncover your strengths and areas for development, get sparring on specific issues in everyday life, explore and test ideas, visions, opportunities and solutions. Define your goals with your mentor and stick to achieving them.
You can join a network with other mentees in which you can work on your mentee role and the reflections this gives rise to.