MTEC Mentoring Programme MSc

Have you ever wished that you had a connection to an industry leader or experienced professional who could help you with decisions about your career and studies, and support you in defining and achieving your goals? Most entrepreneurial-minded leaders in academics, industry and society owe a significant portion of their personal and professional impact to the guidance of strong mentors.

The MTEC Mentoring Programme MSc (MMP MSc) pairs current D-MTEC MSc students with D-MTEC alumni to promote personal and professional development and career and network building. The programme aims to enhance the academic, professional and personal experiences of the students, while offering alumni the opportunity to share their wisdom, reflect on their own choices, remain connected to the D-MTEC network and stay up-to-date with the concerns and initiatives of the current generation of students. Most of our mentors work and live in the Greater Zurich Area, which allows for in-person exchange as well as online meetings. Our ultimate aim is to facilitate long-term relationships between students and alumni that reach beyond the ETH Campus.

Programme Foundations

Mentors and mentees are expected to communicate on a regular, mutually-agreed-upon basis throughout the academic year. Formats and responsibilities will vary depending on the mentor/mentee relationship and on each party’s needs. At their first meeting, mentee and mentor will define their mutual objectives and communication routines and summarise them in a Mentoring Agreement. Workshops and informal events will be offered for all programme participants. The programme is characterised by regular exchange and ongoing reflection on the mentoring process and its impact.

Participation is voluntary and limited. Mentor participation is by invitation only. The programme is based on the following four principles:

M – Motivation: Sincere motivation and an interest in sustained work on self-development.

T – Teamwork: Effective mentoring requires teamwork and commitment. Reciprocal relationships allow learning on the part of both mentors and mentees.

E – Expectations and Empathy: The relationship begins with a transparent clarification of mutual expectations. Empathy and trust are prerequisites for sharing successes and failures and viewing them as opportunities to learn.

C – Commitment: A mentoring relationship lasts 2 years (or longer). It requires commitment and openness to developing oneself and learning from one’s mentor/mentee.

The MTEC Mentoring Programme MSc is a pilot project that begun in Autumn 2017. Initiated by OBIS, it is run by the D-MTEC and supported by the ETH Career Center, the MTEC Alumni Organisation EAEM, and ETH Innovedum.

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