• SSE Riga students can apply here from 06.12.2021 until 17.12.2021. 
  • SSE Riga alumni are invited to apply here until 05.12.2021.

 

What is the Alumni Mentorship programme and why has such a programme at SSE Riga been launched? 

The Alumni Association has been organising the Alumni Association Scholarship Mentorship programme for some years already. It is an integral part of the Scholarship Programme, as the mentor's feedback plays a significant part of the candidate evaluation process and provides additional considerations and information for the Scholarship Committee's decision-making. In 2021, in response to increasing demand for more mentoring programmes, the Alumni Association launched a new programme - the General Mentorship Programme, which is available to all SSE Riga students.

 

What is the goal of the Mentorship Programme?

The goal of the Mentorship Programme is to support students in their personal and professional development, providing encouragement, assistance and guidance from more experienced people who were actually in the students’ shoes just a few years ago.

 

What are the benefits for students who participate in the Mentorship Programme?

By participating in the mentorship programme:

  • you have an opportunity to expand your network, meet new people and gain contacts which can be quite useful for your future career;
  • your mentor can provide you either personal or professional advice and necessary guidance;
  • you can get answers to your questions related to employment or current job market needs/trends;
  • you can develop your personal skills, gain self-confidence and learn how to reflect on your performance;
  • you will be better prepared for your internship and employment as you will know what employers expect from their trainees and employees.

 

Student Rimants Zogota: "The Alumni Mentorship programme gave me not only a unique opportunity to expand my network but also the ability to share, analyse and learn from the mentor's experiences. The most valuable thing was that we learned from each other and grew mutually. Moreover, it was nice to have somebody to talk with during the challenging remote study period."

Student Leonards Norvelis : "With the help of my amazing mentor from the Alumni Mentorship programme, I was able to further enhance my internship experience at KPMG Latvia by setting clear goals and knowing exactly what I seek from this journey." 

 

Why should Alumni become mentors?
 

  • See Things from a Different Perspective

Mentoring gives you the chance to meet a person that is not in your usual social circles, a person that views the world differently. With the mentoring programme, both sides have the chance to figure out how both sides can learn from these differences and create new ideas.

  • Develop Yourself by Developing Others

Mentoring requires the mentor to share their experience and thoughts. By doing this and engaging in conversation, you have the chance to understand yourself better.

  • Changing Behaviour

During mentoring, you have the chance to discuss habits or behavior that you and the mentee have. Afterwards, it is up to you to identify and act upon potential changes and improvements.

  • Up Your Game as a Leader

This programme gives you the chance to develop your leadership skills through mentoring. What is more, you have a chance to shape leaders of the future.

“Being part of the Alumni Mentorship Programme is almost like returning to SSE Riga - you share the drive, support new students and you both get to explore new experiences. The programme allowed me to contribute back to my Alma Mater and successful personal and professional development of Irina, my mentee. All in all, mentorship is undoubtedly an experience to pursue,” reflects SSE Riga graduate Deniss Aksjonovs.

 

Who are mentors and how they are chosen?

Mentors are alumni from different years who kindly agree to provide support to current SSE Riga students.

 

How are mentors and mentees matched?

Mentor-Mentee pairs are formed through the students self-selecting an alumnus with the profile that matches their interests and needs the most.

 

How is the mentoring process conducted in practice? 

Participation in the programme is voluntary. The programme is run by the SSE Riga Alumni Association in cooperation with the Student Association and SSE Riga. Mentoring typically takes place over a period from January to May, but may continue if both parties find it valuable.

Examples of topics covered during the mentoring process: How to gain most out of studies? How to choose an industry/job? How to get the job/ internship that I want? How to set and reach personal development goals?

Mentoring may be face to face and/or over Skype or Zoom. Meeting frequency, format and content is highly individual.

Upon completion of the programme, the mentor and the mentee provide feedback to the organisers.

  

Who can take part in the Alumni Mentorship Programme and how to apply?

All SSE Riga students and SSE Riga alumni are invited to participate in the mentoring programmes.