More than 160 students took part in the mentoring programme in the autumn semester

This year’s mentoring programme, which drew a record number of participants – 167 mentoring pairs, ended on 19 February. The largest number of participants came from the Faculty of Social Sciences, followed by the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The mentoring programme has been run since 2017, bringing together experienced professionals to give practical advice to enthusiastic students, helping them set goals and offer support in finding their path. Last autumn saw the start of the seventh programme, to which 179 students applied as mentees and 136 alumni as mentors. In total, 167 mentoring pairs were formed from 315 applicants. There were 58 mentoring pairs formed of international students and alumni.

During the autumn semester of this academic year, six seminars were organised for the programme participants, including separate seminars for mentors and mentees, and joint seminars. For the first time over several years, half of the seminars were held in Tartu to allow the participants to meet face to face and get to know each other. In addition, the mentoring pairs met at agreed times at least once a month. Some pairs met every week.

The University of Tartu Counselling Centre supported the students participating in the mentoring programme with training and peer counselling opportunities to develop a clearer understanding of mentoring and its benefits in setting and achieving their own development and career goals.

One of the organisers of the mentoring programme, Mare Aru, a Career Counsellor at the University of Tartu Counselling Centre, said that all participants benefitted from the programme. “Students could think about their development and future opportunities, alumni were happy to contribute to the activities of their alma mater and, thanks to the Estonian Chamber of Mentors, were able to develop their mentoring skills. Through the mentoring programme, the university can offer a versatile and developing learning environment for students while keeping in touch with alumni,” said Aru.

The Estonian Chamber of Mentors has supported the programme for five years. This time, they provided the alumni with a short training session on mentoring. According to Ülle Susi, a University of Tartu alumna and board member of the Chamber of Mentors, the programme is a unique opportunity for students. “A mentor is someone who listens to you, dedicates time to you and is genuinely on your side. But being part of a mentoring pair enriches both sides. And this is what motivates me most to invest in organising the programme and training the mentors,” said Susi.

The next mentoring programme will begin in the autumn semester of 2025.

Read more about the programme