Mentoring at the University of Milan
Mentoring is a project aimed to support the professional orientation and development of soft skills for final-year students and recent graduates through one-on-one relationships with professional alumni.
In the mentoring relationship, mentees can ask for advice and receive support, inspiration, and guidance from someone who has already faced similar challenges. Meanwhile, mentors have the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, give back to the academic community and enhance their professional self-awareness through active listening and dialogue.
Benefits for mentees
By joining the project, mentees have the opportunity to gain greater awareness of their skills and inclinations through direct interaction with a professional in their field of interest. The goal is not to find a specific job, but to build a clear perspective for effectively approaching their professional future.
In addition to receiving introductory training on mentoring, mentees will have access to a dedicated self-learning area, filled with useful content for personal and professional growth.
At the end of the project, participants will receive a certificate of attendance, which can be included in their CV to highlight the educational value of the mentoring experience.
Benefits for mentors
Being a mentor is an opportunity for both personal and professional growth: by sharing their experience, mentors strengthen their communication and interpersonal skills and develop a deeper understanding of their role as professionals.
The project includes initial training on the mentor’s role and ongoing support throughout the pathway. Mentors will also have access to a dedicated self-learning area with resources designed to support and enrich their experience.
At the end of the project, mentors will receive a certificate of attendance and will be acknowledged on the project’s website.
Once applications are collected from final-year students and recent graduates (mentees) and professional alumni (mentors), the Career Service will select participants for specific training.
A first introductory meeting (“speed date”) will be organised for all selected mentors and mentees. The Career Service will collect preferences and carry out the final matching, considering the mentees’ input and aiming to meet their preferences.
The actual mentoring journey will then begin, consisting of a series of one-on-one meetings between mentor-mentee pairs.
Timeline and format
• initial training for mentors: 3 online sessions of 2 hours each, between 1 and 18 September 2025, from 18.00 to 20.00;
• initial training for mentees: 1 online session of 2 hours, 2 or 18 September 2025, from 14.00 to 16.00;
• matching (speed date): remote or in-person session, date to be defined in October;
• mentoring meetings (online and/or in person at the University): 6 to 8 sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours, to be held approximately every 3 or 4 weeks, from November 2025 to April 2026. The project also includes ongoing support and follow-up meetings.
Participants will be selected by the Career Service based on criteria such as academic background and, for mentors, years of professional experience.
Self-assessment test results will also be considered, as they are essential to evaluate alignment with the project’s values and goals, along with personal motivation.
Mentors not selected in this round may be considered for future editions.
Mentees not selected may reapply in future editions.
