Mentoring

Peer mentors are students who are in the third year of their Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science or have started the Master’s degree in Human Medicine. They help their mentees develop and harness their potential and pass on their own knowledge and the skills they have acquired. The mentors: 

• share their experience 
• share their academic and professional expertise and the challenges they have faced 
• provide specific tips and assistance 
• use their network and knowledge to help mentees gain a firm foothold as they embark on their studies 
• identify the skills and potential of their mentees 
• communicate their expectations of the mentoring programme clearly (duration, objectives, mentees’ contribution, etc.) 
• exchange ideas with each other and organise cross-group events (themed evenings, expert lectures, excursions, etc.) 
• are trained by KL and supervised if necessary 
• feed back to KL on their mentoring activities and other programme-related matters 

The mentoring group should meet at least once a month, with the duration and location to be determined by the mentors. A brief interim report on the meetings should be submitted at the end of the winter semester, and a final report at the end of the academic year.

Points may be awarded in line with the criteria for a KL scholarship if the applicant has been involved in mentoring groups for several years.

Participation in the mentoring programme is documented in the student’s transcript of records as a voluntary service.

Heads of the clinical departments, specialist physicians and candidates for postdoctoral qualifications can all act as senior mentors. They act as advisors, supporting the mentees’ development and helping them realise their potential. The senior mentors: 

• identify the skills of their mentees and encourage them to achieve their potential 
• share what they know about research, scientific work and the challenges involved 
• share what they know about studying for a degree, the world of work and the challenges involved 
• provide specific tips and assistance 
• communicate their expectations of the mentoring programme clearly (duration, objectives, mentees’ contribution, etc.) 
• exchange views with each other 
• attend KL training courses (compulsory training, voluntary supervision) 
• feed back to KL on ongoing mentoring activity

The senior mentor and mentee together decide on the dates and specific content of their mentoring partnership; they can choose the duration and location for themselves. The mentoring group should meet at least once a month. An interim report should be submitted at the end of the winter semester, and a final report at the end of the academic year.

For candidates for postdoctoral qualifications, supervising a group throughout an entire academic year in the capacity of a senior mentor can count as the equivalent of 10 academic units of teaching activity.

The aim of CareerLaunch mentoring is to support students during the period of their studies spent in the university hospitals and during the practical year, especially in terms of developing and honing their later professional profile, shaping their own career ideas, encouraging regional and international networking, and sharing specific experiences of entering the medical profession as a KL graduate. 

The mentoring partnership has set objectives and a basic structure. The topics addressed within the partnership can be freely selected by the mentoring groups. The mentor works with the mentees to decide on dates, the location of meetings and specific content. KL can provide a meeting room if required.

CareerLaunch mentors are graduates of the Master’s degree in Human Medicine from KL. 

Before taking part in the mentoring programme for the first time, they must attend the annual training and feedback seminar organised by KL, which effectively prepares them for the role. They will then look after individual students or student groups of up to five students. These groups are formed within the first few weeks of the winter semester and remain the same throughout the academic year. 

CareerLaunch mentors act as advisors who support the mentees in developing and realising their potential. They pass on the knowledge they have gained and the skills they have acquired. CareerLaunch mentors: 

• share their experience academic and professional expertise and the challenges that they have faced 
• give their mentees specific tips and assistance with starting their career 
• use their network and knowledge to help mentees gain a firm foothold in their profession 
• identify the skills and potential of their mentees 
• share what they know about research, scientific work and the challenges involved 
• communicate their expectations clearly 
• exchange and pass on their experience, and, if possible, organise cross-group events (themed evenings, expert lectures, excursions, etc.) 
• are trained by KL and supervised if necessary 
• feed back to KL on mentoring activities and other programme-related topics that come up in the course of the mentoring (evaluation function) 

The mentoring group aims to meet at least once a month. The mentees are required to keep a brief record of this, which is passed on to KL.

CareerLaunch mentees are students in the first, second or third year of the Master’s degree in Human Medicine. 

Participation in the mentoring programme is voluntary for students. Attendance at all meetings is not mandatory. Students can leave the mentoring group during the year but may not switch mentoring groups during an academic year. Groups can be rearranged again for the following academic year. 

Mentees and mentors are matched on the basis of mentoring profiles (short profile of the mentor with photo, clinical or scientific area of activity, professional field, freely written text about expectations, what they can provide, etc.) and mentee profiles. 

All of the profiles can be viewed by everyone. The matching process takes place once a year. 
Step 1: Mentors choose their mentees. (Note: Mentees are allowed to contact the mentor in advance.) Mentees can decline the offer of a mentoring place. 
Step 2: Mentees can register with their mentor provided that there is still capacity (max. 5 mentees). The mentor can decide whether there are more applicants than capacity. 

The university provides mentors with confirmation of participation for their work over the course of an academic year and the opportunity to register for another KODE® assessment. This evaluation and subsequent consultation session are free for mentors.