Mentoring-Programm

This year’s application period runs from 5 October to 20 November 2026. Interested students should record a short video of themselves (3–5 mins). We have set up an ILIAS group which you can join. Within the group, you will find a Sciebo link where you can upload the video together with the signed Declaration of Consent for Data Protection. The following questions may be used as a guide:

1. Introduce yourself briefly.

Who are you, what are you studying, and which semester are you in?

2. Why do you want to take part in the mentoring programme?

What do you personally hope to gain from this exchange?

3. Where do you see yourself at the moment on your career path?

Are there any sectors, companies or roles that particularly interest you, or are you still exploring your options?

4. What topics would you like to discuss with your mentor?

For example, starting your career, applications, practical trainings, career planning, work-life balance or personal development.

5. Is there anything else we should know about you to ensure a good match?

Matches between mentors and mentees are made on the basis of the application, taking into account interests and goals.
At the end of each year, all mentees receive a certificate of participation, which they can use, for example, in job applications.

Have you ever felt a bit lost during your studies? Through FH Aachen’s alumni mentoring programme, graduates now have the chance to give back exactly this kind of support. As a mentor, you’ll support students from their third subject-specific semester onwards through individual one-to-one or one-to-two mentoring sessions, sharing your own experiences, personal insights and practical tips for life after graduation.

This year’s application period runs from 5 October to 20 November 2026. To apply, please record a short video of yourself (3–5 mins) and upload it, together with the signed Declaration of Consent for data protection, to this Sciebo folder. You may use the following questions as a guide:

1. Please introduce yourself briefly.

Who are you, where do you currently work, and what career path have you followed so far?

2. Why would you like to become a mentor?

What motivates you to support students on their journey?

3. How much time can you commit to the mentoring programme?

In our experience, matches usually meet about once a month, or less frequently if needed.

4. What experiences or skills would you particularly like to share?

In which areas can you support mentees?

5. What do you hope to gain from a successful mentoring relationship?

What are your expectations of the partnership?

6. What sets you apart as a mentor?

How would you describe your communication style or your approach to supporting people?

7. How many mentees do you envisage being able to mentor?

We recommend 1–2.

8. Would you be happy for the matching process to take place in English?

We also always have a number of applications from English-speaking degree programmes, e.g. GBE.

9. Is there anything we should know about you to ensure the best possible match?

Matches between mentors and mentees are made on the basis of the application, taking into account their interests and goals.
At the end of the year, all mentors receive a certificate as proof of their voluntary work.

Malek Omairat is 25 years old, is studying Global Business and Economics and is currently writing his Bachelor's thesis.

Why did you apply for the programme?
I have wanted the opportunity to work alongside someone who is already established in their career for a long time, so I had to take this chance. I was also particularly impressed by the remarkable careers of the alumni. Some of them fulfil major roles at the world's largest global companies, which gives them inspiring insights.

Your tip for future mentees?
I would definitely recommend deciding in favour of an application! The chances of being assigned a mentor are good. It's important to take the time to clearly state your own professional interests and strengths, as this will be taken into account when assigning pairs.

Emelie Padtberg is studying Business Law in her 5th semester at FH Aachen.

What was the motivation behind your application and how did your mentor help you specifically?
I think it's great to have the opportunity to exchange ideas with someone who is already in professional life. As a student, I hoped to gain valuable tips for the future from my mentor's personal and professional experience. I found the open dialogue with my mentor particularly valuable. She was always able to give me helpful tips when I had questions on various topics. My mentor helped me the most in recognising more clearly which professional focus I would like to pursue in the long term. In addition to her own experience, I was also able to benefit from my mentor's contacts.

What would you recommend to students who are considering applying for the mentoring programme?
I recommend every student to apply for the mentoring programme. It is a great opportunity to exchange ideas with successful alumni and receive support with any questions relating to professional or personal development. The exchange with the other mentees and mentors at the kick-off event is also a great opportunity to expand your network.

Marie-Sophie Creutz was a mentor in the first and second cohort and held an application workshop for the mentees.

"As a student, I always wished for a mentoring programme like this to help me find my bearings and gain valuable inspiration from others. It's all the nicer to now be part of this programme myself, to be able to pass on my own experiences and accompany mentees on their journey. What is particularly enriching for me is not only the opportunity to share my knowledge, but also to gain new perspectives from the mentees' questions and thoughts. I was very pleased to be able to help organise an application workshop this year. It's a great example of how versatile and inspiring the programme is for both sides."