Mentors act as role models, advisors, and are available to reflect on issues affecting your career. Depending on your interests and current needs, very different forms of support may be relevant in the mentoring process.

The tasks of mentors often include the following:

• Sharing experiences on their own career path, dealing with difficult organizational cultures, etc.
• Supporting networking (e.g., establishing concrete contacts)
• Providing feedback (e.g., on the mentee's development over the course of the program)
• Imparting concrete knowledge (e.g. on an appointment procedure, on acquiring third-party funding)

Both sides contribute to the success of the process. As a mentee, you are responsible for the following points:

• Making appointments with sufficient lead time, binding nature of agreements (e.g. dates)
• Preparation of content for each meeting
• Respectful handling of the mentors' resources and the effort to contribute something for the mentors as well
• Sole responsibility for all decisions and results in the process

In addition, regular, two-way feedback on the process is recommended.

The following topics are frequently dealt with in mentoring programs: 

• Reflection on career planning
• Discussion of specific job opportunities
• Improving self-presentation skills
• Gaining insights into the everyday life/culture of other organizations
• Concrete support in building networks
• Tips for further education and personality development
• Dealing with family and career (keyword family work-life balance)
• Exchange on different career paths, dealing with detours, defeats and setbacks

• Personal problems that do not directly relate to career development
• Personal and professional problems with your supervisor or team
• Issues of discrimination and harassment, in these cases please contact our Committee on Equal Treatment at TU Wien (AKG)
• Administrative problems and complaints

1. Selection and recruitment of mentors

Please consider for yourself, depending on your personal goal/question, which person could be your mentor. If you need further guidance in this regard, please use the specially prepared self-reflecting tool for finding your perfect mentor. You do not have to know your mentor personally. The program coordination of the TU Wien HR development (Dipl. Päd. Stefanie Madsen, opens an external URL in a new window) will take over the contacting and clarify the readiness and availability for the mentoring program. We invite you to write a personal letter to your mentor explaining why you have chosen her or him. Of course, you are also free to contact your chosen mentor yourself. It would be desirable if you could suggest a second person in case your preferred candidate cannot take on the role.

2. Getting to know the mentors

During a kick-off event, all mentoring tandems get to know each other personally, agree on the goals for the mentoring and plan the first meetings.

3. Mentoring tandem meetings

The duration of the mentoring program is 13 months. Over the course, four to six meetings (approximately 1.5 hours) are desirable. You will arrange the meetings directly with your mentor. You are free to schedule more meetings or decide whether you want to hold the meetings virtually or in-person.

4. Framework program

In addition, a comprehensive framework program is available to you throughout the year:

• Initial Interview with Program Coordinator Stefanie Madsen
• Joint Kick-off Event: getting to know the program and the mentoring tandems, first target agreements
• Introductory workshop to meet the other mentees and for an optimal start to the program
• Workshop on the topic of application and appointment procedures with Ute Riedler or with Dr.in Dieta Kuchenbrandt
• Potential Analysis (individually conducted) and Joint Group Evaluation of Potential Analysis
• Workshop on leadership in science with Dr.in Martina A. Friedl
• Brunch Conference some mentees get the possibility to present their research in front of the group of mentees and mentors to get collegial feedback
• Networking Lunches to meet and greet in an relaxed atmosphere over lunch
• Joint Final Event to celebrate and reflect the outcome of the mentoring program
• Further workshops, seminars and expert talks can be arranged on demand 

In addition, the program management supports the networking of the mentees in peer groups. This topic is discussed during the introductory workshop. 

All dates and a schedule for the program can be found here (Mentees' Program, opens in new window, Mentors' Program, opens in new window).

Contact person at TU Wien HR development:

For questions in the context of registration, application and contact with the mentors, please contact Dipl. Päd. Stefanie Madsen, she is happy to help you with any questions and concerns.

• Stefanie Madsen
• stefanie.madsen@tuwien.ac.at
• +43 664 605884108

Moderation and workshops:

Dr.in Martina Friedl, opens an external URL in a new window

Workshop on the topic of application and appointment procedures:

Ute Riedler or Dr.in Dieta Kuchenbrandt, opens an external URL in a new window