"Ask a Mentor"
"Ask a Mentor" makes it possible to get real answers in a single, focused conversation, no lengthy programme, no long-term commitment, just one conversation that could change how you see your next step.
What is Ask a Mentor?
"Ask a Mentor" is a career development concept at Aalto University based on the principles of speed mentoring. It connects doctoral students and researchers with experienced professionals, alumni, and industry experts through short, focused online conversations. As a participant, you get direct access to practical insight into careers, working life, and professional development, based on someone else's real working life experience.
Why take part in "Ask a Mentor"?
Here's what's in it for you:
- No long-term commitment: One conversation, 45 to 60 minutes, fitted around your own schedule. No ongoing obligation. Just one focused meeting.
- Exploring career paths beyond academia: Get a real sense of what working life looks like in the industries, organisations, and roles you're curious about.
- Building your network: Meet professionals and alumni who could become future colleagues, collaborators, or even your next employer. One conversation could open a door you didn't know was there.
- Fresh perspectives on your own questions: Hear how someone who has already navigated career transitions thinks about the challenges you're facing right now.
- Sharpening how you talk about yourself: Practice articulating your strengths, expertise, and transferable skills with someone who can give you honest feedback.
- Making more confident decisions: Walk away with a clearer sense of your options and more confidence in shaping your own career path.
What can you discuss?
"Ask a Mentor" conversations are organised around practical, career-related themes such as:
- Industry careers, entrepreneurship, or leadership
- International careers and academic careers
- Research commercialisation and sustainability
- Recruitment practices, workplace cultures, and employer expectations
- Career transitions and professional development
- Recognising and articulating your transferable skills
How does "Ask a Mentor" work in practice?
Ask a Mentor is built around one time, low threshold conversations rather than ongoing mentoring relationships:
① Register: Sign up to let us know you're interested in taking part.
② Theme selection: A theme is chosen based on the interests of doctoral researchers, for example industry careers, entrepreneurship, leadership, international careers, sustainability, academic careers, or research commercialisation.
③ Orientation session: Attend a short online orientation to help you define your goals, prepare your questions, and make the most of your conversation.
④ Browse expert profiles: The booking platform opens for about one month. During this time, you can browse expert profiles and check their available time slots.
⑤ Book your conversation: Choose the expert whose background and experience match your interests, and book a one time conversation with them.
⑥ The conversation: A single online session of 45 to 60 minutes, either one to one or as a small group discussion with 3 to 4 researchers.
⑦ Reflection and feedback: After the conversation, you're invited to a short online feedback session, and your input helps shape future rounds of the programme.
No long-term commitment is required at any stage. Just your time and curiosity for one conversation.
Who can take part?
The opportunity is open to all Aalto doctoral students and researchers. All you need is curiosity and a question worth asking.
How can I take part?
We are currently opening the Ask a Mentor pilot for doctoral students and researchers. If you'd like to take part, get in touch, we're happy to tell you more about this flexible way to gain career insight from experienced professionals.