MBA - Bachelor Mentoring Program

MBA women (mentors) support bachelor students (mentees)

What is it all about?

The mentoring principle is simple: An MBA woman with several years of working experience (the mentor) supports a bachelor student (the mentee) in her academic and professional development.

Why should I mentor Bachelor students?

As a mentor, participating in the program gives you several rewards such as being able to share your valuable experience with younger students, gain information on the Swiss/European university system and culture, improve your language skills, exchange opinions and share ideas with young, motivated students.

How can I assist bachelor students?

The nature of the advising and the topics of discussion depend on the individual objectives and needs of the mentees as well as on the opportunities and competencies the mentors offer. The mentoring topics can cover such aspects as providing career advice and planning, assistance in the job application process, support in finding an internship, feedback on strengths and weaknesses, etc.

How is the matching conducted?

The administration of the mentoring program establishes the contacts between mentors and mentees. Before their placement, prospective mentors send their CV to the mentoring coordinator. Mentors and mentees are assigned based on the experience and expectation of the mentor and the application form and CV of the mentee.

How time-consuming is the participation in the program?

Mentoring is a professional yet also a personal relationship between mentor and mentee who maintain regular contact over the course of the MBA study. Hence, the mentoring relationship lasts around 12 months. The mentors are expected to provide about three hours per semester for a semester meeting and to make themselves available as a contact by telephone or e-mail.

The mentoring process

During a first meeting the two parties will share their expectations of mentoring, determine the form and frequency of their communication, and set the ground rules for their mentoring relationship that they deem necessary. Mentors and mentees are expected to get together at least once during each semester for a semester meeting. The semester meeting facilitates a critical review of the student’s progress and open discussions of potential performance issues in connection with the goals that had been set. Moreover, the objectives for the following semester are determined during the meeting. The mentee writes a semester report, the form and content of which can be individually agreed upon. This document serves as a basis for discussion during the meeting.

And if the MBA student would like her own mentor?

Of course, this can also be arranged! The same aforementioned process can be applied to matching an MBA student with an appropriate mentor.