Mentoring Plus: Strengthening women on their way to leadership positions!

Mentoring Plus: Strengthening women on their way to leadership positions!

The University of Potsdam's mentoring program Mentoring Plus offers female students the opportunity to expand their professional perspectives and master the transition from university to the world of work. Applications are open until June 29, 2025, while the program starts in September. The aim of the program is to facilitate career orientation through individual support from experienced mentors. Particular emphasis is placed on the equality of women in the professional world, which coordinator Nicole Körner particularly emphasizes.

The participants not only receive practical advice, but also insights into the working world of their mentors. The Mentoring Plus offering includes regular network meetings, workshops and webinars. The content includes professional workshops, reflection on professional goals and the promotion of mutual motivation and collaborative learning.

Application process and requirements

To apply, prospective mentees must provide personal information about their studies as well as information about previous degrees. The expected end of your studies must also be stated. Practical experiences from jobs, internships or stays abroad must be documented with time periods. Applicants should also explain their career ideas and next steps, including their motivation for starting the career and the support they expect from the mentoring program.

Interested students are also invited to describe how much time they can invest in the program each month and, if necessary, to name larger life projects that could influence their participation. During the program, participants work in peer mentoring groups, also known as success teams, to share their experiences and challenges.

Equal opportunities and diversity in focus

Equal opportunities are at the heart of the program. It is important that different lifestyles and diversity dimensions are taken into account. The mentors are experienced specialists and managers who offer the mentees not only professional but also personal support. The programs are a central instrument at many universities for increasing the proportion of women in leadership positions and professorships.

The underrepresentation of women in the sciences, especially in leadership roles and professorships, is a well-known problem caused by structural barriers. Mentoring programs are designed to counteract these challenges by helping women to use their skills in a targeted manner and make better use of career opportunities. Such offers are intended to create a more gender-equitable environment that also makes existing hierarchies more transparent.

Further information about the application and program content can be found on the University of Potsdam website. Registrations are possible until June 29th to become part of this valuable offer.