Viadrina Mentoring

This programme is Viadrina's response to the fact that the proportion of women and gender-diverse people in management positions is still too low. A large number of disadvantageous structures continue to prevent equal participation of all genders in professional life.

Structural discrimination based on gender not only affects cis women, but also trans*, inter* and non-binary people in particular. Trans*, inter* and non-binary people are much less present in academia than cis women already are, which is why the active promotion of gender-diverse people is also necessary in order to counteract structural discrimination in universities and academia.

Viadrina Mentoring is a tried-and-tested and effective instrument for the individual promotion of young talent that offers the opportunity to specifically support and strengthen prospective graduates in their independent career planning at an early stage. An accompanying and qualification programme integrated into the programme also develops and strengthens interdisciplinary key professional skills and establishes professional network structures that are important for their own career development.

The 12-month Viadrina Mentoring Programme offers students structured and professional support in their career planning.

The programme consists of four central building blocks. These are interlinked and tie in with the individual goals for professional and personal development that the participating students set for themselves at the start of the programme.

The four programme modules include:

1. An individual mentoring relationship with a person (mentor) from a professional field that interests the mentee or with a person with professional experience who offers support during the professional orientation and discovery phase

2. an accompanying framework programme and a needs-based qualification programme

3. networking and structured peer exchange in small groups

4. Continuous support and joint reflection on your own learning process with the programme management

Applications for the 2024/25 programme year were possible online from 01.01.2024 - 15.02.2024. The programme started in March 2024.
Information on the next application phase will follow.

This programme is Viadrina's response to the fact that the proportion of women and gender-diverse people in academic leadership positions is still too low. A large number of disadvantageous structures continue to prevent women from participating in professional life on an equal footing.

Structural discrimination based on gender not only affects cis women, but also trans*, inter* and non-binary people in particular. Trans*, inter* and non-binary people are much less present in academia than cis women already are, which is why the active promotion of gender-diverse people is also necessary in order to counteract structural discrimination in universities and academia.

Viadrina Mentoring is a tried-and-tested and effective instrument for the individual promotion of early career researchers and personnel development that offers the opportunity to specifically support and strengthen doctoral students in their independent career planning at an early stage.

The 12-month Viadrina Mentoring programme offers doctoral candidates structured and professional support in their career planning.

The programme is made up of four central building blocks. These are interlinked and tie in with the individual objectives for professional and personal development that the participating doctoral candidates set for themselves at the start of the programme.

The four programme modules include:

1. an individual mentoring relationship

2. an accompanying framework programme and a needs-oriented qualification programme (intensive training)

3. networking and structured peer exchange in small groups

4. Continuous support and joint reflection on your own learning process with the programme management

Applications for the 2024/25 programme year were possible online from 01.01.2024 - 15.02.2024. The programme started in March 2024.
Information on the next application phase will follow.

This programme is Viadrina's response to the fact that the proportion of women and gender-diverse people in academic leadership positions is still too low. A large number of disadvantageous structures continue to prevent women from participating in professional life on an equal footing.

Structural discrimination based on gender not only affects cis women, but also trans*, inter* and non-binary people in particular. Trans*, inter* and non-binary people are much less present in academia than cis women already are, which is why the active promotion of gender-diverse people is also necessary in order to counteract structural discrimination in universities and academia.

Viadrina Mentoring is a tried-and-tested and effective instrument for the individual promotion of early career researchers and personnel development that offers the opportunity to specifically support and strengthen postdocs in their independent career planning at an early stage. It is also intended to promote the development, expansion and strengthening of the network at universities and research institutions in Brandenburg. This also aims to increase the attractiveness of Brandenburg as a centre of science for highly qualified women and gender-diverse people.

The 12-month Viadrina Mentoring programme offers postdocs structured and professional support in their career planning.

The programme is made up of four central building blocks. These are interlinked and tie in with the individual objectives for professional and personal development that the participating postdocs set for themselves at the start of the programme.

The four programme modules include:

1. an individual mentoring relationship

2. qualification programmes (workshops and individual coaching)

3. supporting programme (kick-off, conclusion, network meeting)

4. support from the coordinators

The mentoring relationship, individual coaching sessions and support from the coordinators can also be offered in English.

Applications for the 2024/2025 programme year were possible online from 01.01.2024 - 15.02.2024. The programme started in March 2024.
Information on the next application phase will follow.

You agree to have regular personal discussions with your mentee. You both organise the meetings individually. The mentee is responsible for the preparation and follow-up of the content.

In terms of content, you as a mentor can, for example, pass on your professional biographical experience and career-enhancing knowledge (e.g. contextual, process and organisational knowledge about structures, policies, requirements, networks, etc.). It is also desirable that you give the mentee constructive feedback to encourage reflection on their own career path and at the same time encourage them to strengthen and develop relevant professional skills.

A mentor

• is not a job broker
• is not responsible for the preparation and follow-up of joint meetings or for the definition of content
• is not responsible for the supervision of academic work
• supports and encourages goal and solution orientation, but is not responsible for implementation

• You reflect on your own career path and your life experiences.
• You will strengthen your counselling skills and gain new impetus for your own personal development.
• You will gain insights into the experiences of a younger generation.
• You will be actively involved in promoting people who are discriminated against in the world of work on the basis of gender and thus for the equal participation of women and gender-diverse people in working life.

For mentees, the mentoring programme begins in March. The tandem phase with mentors then starts individually, usually between May and August, and ends in March of the following year. In addition to the mentoring relationship, networking events and a high-profile closing event with all programme participants also take place as part of a mentoring cycle.