How did you and your mentor organize your mentorship?
After the start of the mentorship, we wrote to each other every two months to see if we could meet up. That went on for about a year. We met six or seven times during that time. For me, it was a very good, continuous rhythm to see each other every two months or so. After that, we unofficially ended the mentorship and saw each other again at the online networking event "ESCAPE the Office".

What were the topics of your mentorship?
At the beginning, we talked about USW, about our department. But because I wasn't quite sure where I wanted to go, I then asked very general questions, such as "How can you get on well with colleagues at work?", "How do you behave in certain professional situations?" "What are the general conditions like in the workplace?" or how my mentor plans to achieve her goals. My mentor then told me what it's like for her at the moment [note: automotive industry] and what it was like before at university when she worked there. For example, she told me about the differences in setting priorities or in corporate communications. Also, for example, that more emphasis is placed on business attire in her current industry than at university.

Did you have a mentoring logbook in which you recorded your findings?
I didn't keep a logbook in the sense that I continuously wrote something down. I did it more in such a way that I already had a specific topic before our meetings. I thought about questions, sent them to my mentor and then made notes on these questions at the meeting. So I have notes of my mentor's answers from all the meetings, which have helped me.

Did your mentorship sharpen your professional image for USW alumni?
I don't know if I would put it like that. I would rather say it was the other way around. It was more like looking "outside the box" and gave me a broader view with all the trappings. The view was opened up more, in all possible directions. But maybe that's specific to the degree program, because with USW you can go into so many different industries.

Was there anything you missed in the mentoring program?
During my mentoring time, we had fewer networking events than planned due to the pandemic. That was a shame. It would have been nice to have more of these events where you could get to know the others. At the beginning of the mentoring program, I wasn't quite sure where I wanted to go. That's why I wanted to get more vision through the mentoring program. Of course, getting to know other mentors, as planned, would have been very helpful.

Anything else you would like to say in conclusion?
I think it's great that the program exists. That you can start a mentorship easily, even without any specific ideas. Even writing to someone can often be a hurdle.

Studies: Bachelor's and Master's degrees in USW Geography and USW Business Administration
Currently working in a research team as part of her PhD position, assessing the sustainability of using wood as a functional component in the automotive industry