Guidance for the Student–Alumni Mentorship Programme
This guide provides practical guidance, tips and inspiration for your mentorship journey. Explore suggestions for meaningful conversations, topics to discuss and ways to make the most of your time together.
Principles of successful mentoring
A successful mentorship is not about having all the answers. It is about creating a space for meaningful conversations and shared reflection.
Three things to remember
- The mentor does not need to have all the answers. Listen, share experiences and offer perspectives.
- The student does not need to have a clear career plan. Bring questions and reflections and take an active role in the conversations.
- The relationship is a shared responsibility. Agree on how to stay in touch, keep your commitments and talk openly about how the mentorship is working.
Roles and expectations
Mentor
- Share experiences and insights from working life.
- Be open and honest, including about challenges and lessons learned.
- Keep agreed commitments.
Student
- Take an active role in planning meetings and bringing topics.
- Bring questions, thoughts and topics for discussion.
- Follow up on conversations and actions.
Together
- Agree on expectations, communication and meeting frequency.
- Respect confidentiality.
- Be open about what is working well and what could be improved.
What mentoring is – and is not
Mentoring is:
- A conversation partner
- A source of experience
- Someone who offers perspectives
- Someone who helps the student reflect and grow
Mentoring is not:
- A person with all the answers
- A career coach
- A manager
- A therapist
Conversation themes and inspiration
The journey from student to professional
Explore together
The transition from education to working life looks different for everyone. This theme focuses on the experiences, choices and turning points that shape a professional journey.
Conversation questions
- What did your transition from education to working life look like?
- Which decisions or experiences have been particularly important?
- What do you wish you had known as a student?
- Did you end up in the career you thought you would?
- Have there been times when you changed direction?
The first period of working life
Explore together
Starting a career often brings both opportunities and challenges. This theme explores the realities of early working life and the lessons that are often learned along the way.
Conversation questions
- What surprised you the most at the beginning of your working life?
- What challenges did you encounter?
- When did you start to feel confident in your professional role?
- How did you deal with uncertainty?
- Was there anything you felt was missing from your education?
Professional challenges and lessons learned
Explore together
Every career includes moments of uncertainty, setbacks and difficult decisions. These experiences often provide some of the most valuable opportunities for learning and growth.
Conversation questions
- Which professional challenge has taught you the most?
- How do you deal with situations where you don’t know what to do?
- What do you do when you need to make difficult decisions?
- Have you made mistakes that taught you a great deal?
- What advice would you give your younger self?
Workplace culture and unwritten rules
Explore together
Many aspects of working life are not taught in education. This theme focuses on workplace culture, professional relationships and the unwritten rules that can help people navigate new environments.
Conversation questions
- What is the culture like at your workplace?
- Which unwritten rules are important to understand?
- What makes someone a good colleague?
- How do you build professional relationships?
- How do you deal with conflicts or difficult situations?
Balance, motivation and sustainability
Explore together
Building a sustainable professional life is not only about achieving goals but also about maintaining motivation, wellbeing and balance over time.
Conversation questions
- What motivates you in your work?
- How do you deal with stressful periods?
- How do you view the balance between work and private life?
- How do you recharge?
- How do you maintain engagement over time?
Future career paths
Explore together
There is rarely a single career path. This theme invites discussion about opportunities, future directions and how interests and ambitions can evolve over time.
Conversation questions
- What different career paths are available within the field?
- How has your own career developed?
- Are there roles you were not aware of as a student?
- Which skills do you think will become important in the future?
- What international opportunities are available?
Your own questions and reflections
Explore together
The most valuable mentoring conversations often begin with questions, ideas or challenges that feel relevant right now. This theme creates space for topics that are unique to your mentoring relationship and current situation
Conversation questions
- What are you thinking about most right now?
- What feels most exciting?
- What feels most uncertain or difficult?
- Which skills do you want to develop?
- Which goals or opportunities do you want to explore?
The KI experience
Explore together
Shared experiences from KI can provide a valuable foundation for conversation. This theme encourages reflection on learning, personal development and the lasting impact of time spent at KI.
Conversation questions
- What did you take with you from KI that you still benefit from today?
- Which experiences at KI have been most significant for you?
- What do you wish you had done differently during your studies?
- Is there anything you would like to pass on to today’s students?
- How has KI influenced your path forward?
Keeping the conversation going
Every mentor pair will eventually reach a point where it feels as though they have already talked about most things. That does not mean the relationship is not working.
Try one of these questions
- What is on your mind right now?
- What has happened since we last met?
- What are you curious about right now?
- What has been most challenging recently?
- Has anything surprised you in your studies or working life?
Change perspective
- If you often talk about the student: talk about the mentor’s experiences.
- If you often talk about the future: talk about the present.
- If you often talk about careers: talk about values and motivation.
Try something different
- Go for a walk.
- Visit the mentor’s workplace.
- Visit the student at campus.
- Discuss a current event or article.
- Start from a specific dilemma.
- Reflect on what you have gained from the mentorship so far.
When things do not go as expected
- Talk to each other first.
- If you need support, the programme coordinators are available for advice and guidance.
Programme structure
To give the relationship the best possible conditions, the programme has a few common guidelines.
KI's framework
- The programme runs for seven months.
- You meet at least four times.
- Meetings can take place in person or online.
- The programme coordinators are available if you need support.
You decide together
- How often and where you would like to meet.
- Which questions or themes you would like to explore.
- How you want to stay in touch between meetings.
Important
There is no single formula for good mentoring. Each relationship will look different and develop in its own way.