Since the winter semester 2024/2025, the Business School has had a mentoring program for students in their 3rd and 4th semesters who have successfully exceeded a certain ECTS credit limit. All students who are eligible for the mentoring program will receive an invitation to participate.

By participating in the mentoring program, students have the opportunity to benefit from the experience and knowledge of our graduates and receive support for their academic and future career path.

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is an advisory relationship in which graduates of the Business School - as so-called "mentors" - support you as students - in the role of "mentees" - in your personal and professional development.

A mentor shares their own experience and knowledge to help you achieve your goals. The mentor is a kind of personal coach who supports you in shaping your time at university. He or she will advise you on your study and career planning, e.g. with regard to internships or semesters abroad, as well as on your personal development.

Who is invited to take part?

Invitations are extended to Bachelor's students of all business administration courses and business law in their 3rd semester who have completed 50 or more ECTS credits and Bachelor's students in their 4th semester who have completed 75 or more ECTS credits.

What are the benefits of mentoring?

• Personal development
  Support in identifying and developing individual strengths and weaknesses
• Career planning and network building
  Career advice from experienced mentors who can provide students with further contacts for their future career based on their networks
• Advice on important study decisions
  Tips and assistance in preparing for the internship semester, as well as advice on deciding to spend a semester abroad if necessary

Who are the mentors?

For each degree program, there is a list of mentors who have either studied on the program themselves or are now working in this field as graduates of another degree program at the Business School.

Based on this list, each student can indicate preferences for desired mentors. Mentors are then assigned to mentees using a matching procedure. Preferences and the matching algorithm ensure that your interests and goals as a mentee match the mentor's experience and skills as closely as possible.

1. Application
   Students who are invited to the mentoring program can register for participation in the program via the Moodle platform. You will find the link to register and the registration key in the invitation email.
    
2. Indication of preferences
   After registering, you can view the list of mentors in Moodle and indicate your preference ranking there.
    
3. Information about assignment
   After the application deadline, the mentors are assigned to the registered mentees. Once the assignment has been made, the mentees and mentors will receive an email with the contact details of the respective mentoring partner.
    
4. Contact by mentees
   As soon as the mentees have received the contact details of their mentor, they can make contact and start the mentoring relationship.
    
5. First meeting
   The first meeting between mentee and mentor should take place in November or December . In the first meeting, the mentee and mentor define their goals and expectations together. This meeting can take place digitally or in person.
    
6. Regular exchange
   Mentee and mentor jointly determine the intervals at which they will be in contact. A total of 3-4 digital or face-to-face meetings should take place during the one-year mentoring relationship.
    
7. End of the mentoring program
   The mentoring program comprises one academic year or two semesters and ends on 31 August at the end of the summer semester. If the mentee and mentor wish to stay in contact after this and continue the mentoring relationship, this is of course possible by individual arrangement.

If you have any questions about the mentoring program, please contact us: business-school(at)hs-pforzheim(dot)de