Mentoring Program Check-In Survey: nearly 90 % of respondents satisfied with mentoring

183 mentors and mentees (37% of participants) responded to the feedback survey conducted in March. Nearly 90 percent of respondents reported being very satisfied or satisfied with their mentoring experience. 

What works well in mentoring?

Based on the respondents’ feedback, the success of the mentoring programme is founded on three key factors:

1. Fruitful and meaningful discussions

‘The discussions have been rewarding and the process has helped me to see what I want to do in the future and all the things I could do.’

‘Me and my mentor have very meaningful and friendly conversations that already made me reflect a lot about possible career paths I could follow. I am learning a lot every meeting!’

‘Great and intelligent students and mentees, learning a lot and meetings are smooth, easy, dialogical and very friendly, so great experience so far.’

‘My mentor has helped me become more confident in my job search. He has also helped me take my job applications to another level. I no longer feel completely stressed out by job searching.’

2. Good compatibility between mentor and mentee

‘My mentor is active and supportive. The mentorship seems to be a good fit in terms of understanding and working styles.’

‘Feels that we have managed to create a connection. Discussion topics have varied and it seems that they have been beneficial for both.’

‘Good fit between mentee and mentor. Mentee drives the discussion into direction he sees to generate most value.’

‘My mentor is kind and open-minded which has made the meetings easy-going and productive’

3. Activeness and preparation

‘Very active mentees who have been well prepared for our meetings and who also challenge the mentor in a suitable way.’

‘Active and interested mentee.’

‘The meetings have gone well in my opinion. The mentee has prepared and structured the purpose of the meetings quite a lot in advance.’

‘Good conversations and very good opportunity to reflect my own ideas and experiences with the student. Student has been very progressive and talkative, and we have had a lot of good sessions.’
 

Reasons for dissatisfaction with mentoring

Although most participants find the mentoring programme very useful, some reasons for dissatisfaction also emerged in the feedback. Just under 4% of respondents were dissatisfied with their mentoring experience. 

Some respondents highlighted mentees’ low motivation or limited commitment. This was reflected, for example, in cancelled meetings, poor preparation or even a complete break in communication. Some mentees had unclear goals or focused only on short-term needs, such as job seeking. This limited the deepening of the mentoring relationship and meaningful progress.

Some mentees, on the other hand, felt that the mentor was not the right person for their needs.

This is how respondents described their experiences:

'The student does not seem very committed to mentoring. They have postponed meetings or cancelled them altogether.'

'The mentee is too early in his studies, and finds it hard to identify in which area he needs mentoring – if any?'.

'I don't think my mentor is really helping me with advice or useful resources. I think he's a good person, but at the same time I believe he doesn't understand my personality and my thoughts.'