Should I become an actor?

In Aalto University Mentoring Programme, mentoring refers to a long-term and goal-oriented conversational relationship, in which a working mentor acts as a sounding board, sparring partner, and supporter for the student being mentored, i.e. the actor. The topics discussed in mentoring are always based on the actor's personal needs and goals, and it is especially the actor's own development process.

With the help of mentoring, you can, among other things

• find and clarify your own career goals and dreams
• expand your knowledge of working life and alternative careers
• develop your professional skills and improve your job search skills
• develop your interaction and communication skills
• challenge yourself to encounter new ideas and views
• expand your network

To become an actor, it is essential that you are willing to develop yourself, you have an active attitude and you are ready to commit and take a proactive role in the mentoring process. Already when applying you should be ready to set targets for the mentoring and to your own progress. In one-on-one discussions with your mentor, an actor should have courage to bring out their own views, to give feedback and even disagree with the mentor. It is actor´s role to make sure that the mentoring process progress with regular meetings once a month. Mentor’s role is to provide support and inspiration and to be a sounding board for the actor’s ideas. An actor should keep in mind that it is not the mentor’s task to solve actor’s problems but to help an actor to solve the problems by themselves.

What does it take to become an actor?

Mentoring takes commitment and time. Before applying, please consider if you have the motivation to commit to the mentoring process on top your studies and possible work. We prioritize actor candidates, who show motivation and willingness to commit to the mentoring process. Don't forget that mentoring is your benefit!

We expect you to

• commit to the mentoring programme from November-May - also during possible exchange
• take up a pro-active role in relation to your mentor
• communicate openly and confidentially with your mentor
• set up objectives and agreeing on practival matters with your mentor
• understand that the mentor is not expected to offer you a job or internship placement
• provide feedback on the programme
• contact the programme management in case of facing any problems ([email protected])

Who are the mentors?

Mentors are mainly Aalto University graduates, alumni, who have at least four years of working experience after completing their degree. The pool of mentors is very heterogenous; There are experts, managers, leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, freelancers, newly retired, people who have highly specialized in the certain field, people who have changed their career path, people with a big family, people living solo etc. Majority of mentors live in Helsinki region, but there are also mentors living outside capital area or abroad. What connects mentors is their willingness to help and support students with the concerns and questions students themselves have about working life and career. Mentors act in their role voluntarily, usually alongside to their day job.

You will find the descriptions of mentor candidates in the Application section during the student application period.

Do you already have a mentor candidate in your mind? Take courage and ask this person as your mentor. You may search a mentor candidate on LinkedIn. Thus, already “matched” mentoring pairs are welcomed to join the programme.

Apply to mentoring programme!

The next mentoring programme starts in November 2023. Applications are open 23rd Oct -5 Nov 2023. We will publish more detailed information and a link to the application form later on this page.