The University of Oulu's mentoring programme offers students the opportunity to clarify their career plans and alumni the opportunity to develop their guidance skills and share their experience.
It is a programme that has been in the University form more than 20 years.
Mentoring is a relationship and confidential discussions between an experienced individual with a higher education degree (mentor) and a Master's student of the University of Oulu (mentee) that lasts about six months. During this time the mentor supports the student in decision-making as well as career planning and management.
Mentoring is mutually beneficial to both students and mentors. Through discussions the students can develop their professional and personal skills. For mentors the programme offers an opportunity to network, get to know the new generation of the university, learn what studies consist of nowadays, and have a say at the university.
The mentoring programme requires commitment and enthusiasm from both the mentor and the mentee. The programme consists mainly of one-to-one discussions between the mentor and the mentee. Mentees set targets for the meetings through their own questions and points of interest. Usually, the one-to-one meetings take place once a month, but at least three times during the programme. They can be organised online as well. The mentoring pairs can never be matched 100 % as the participants had wished for.
- Opettaja: Riitta Arffman
- Opettaja: Salla Herrala
- Opettaja: Angela Suorsa