During the meeting summarising the eleventh edition of the Mentorship Project, the University of Lodz Vice-Rector for External Relations, Dr hab. Agnieszka Kurczewska, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, said:
The Mentorship Project is our flagship initiative, showing how we want to see the University of Lodz. We want to see it as a place around which a community consisting of students, lecturers, graduates and all friends of the university, people who want to work together is formed. A very thriving community has been created around the University of Lodz. The Mentorship Project is special. It shows how you can develop in a few months, how important conversations are. Congratulations to all students for making it through this journey. I think you've learned more than you think, and you're going to recall that experience very often in your life. What's more, research and experience show that people who were once mentees often become mentors in the future. Surely some of you will become one. I’d like to say huge thank you to the mentors. You devote your valuable time, share your experience, treat students as partners.
About the University of Lodz Mentorship Project
For many years, the University of Lodz has been committed to building and maintaining lasting relationships with its graduates. It encourages them to return to their home university by offering participation in a variety of activities and dedicated events. The VIP Alumni Programme, an original and innovative initiative of the University of Lodz, under which the Mentorship Project is implemented, is a part of this strategy.
The aim of the Project is to involve outstanding graduates of the University of Lodz – experts from the world of business, politics, media and culture in the process of personal development and career development of the most active students. The Mentorship Project of the University of Lodz is one of the longest implemented mentorship programmes at Polish universities.
How did the mentorship process go?
The mentorship process often included several meetings between January and June 2024, both online and in person. During this time, the mentorship pairs first learned about each other's expectations, set goals together and then planned activities for the next six months. Some mentorship pairs continue to work together even after the official end of the project, implementing new joint projects.
This year's edition of the Project was attended by 35 mentors and 45 students. Over the last 11 years, over 375 students have benefited from the support of mentors. The group of mentors includes nearly 100 VIP Alumni, many of whom take part in the project every year.
Full list of mentorship pairs of the 11th edition
Mentors about the Mentorship Project
The invited mentors shared their reflections and experiences on working in mentorship pairs with us.
For me, it was very important to arrange our meetings in such a way that they were systematic. Thus, they took place often, every two weeks. Thanks to this, we were able to trust each other. It is amazing that I can share my 20 years of professional experience. I have collected the experience, among other things, to share it with you, Kasia. I was able to answer your questions, broaden your horizons, show you different perspectives. Thanks to this, you can choose and check what is best for you, you can go your own way
– Agnieszka Czechowska, Business Process Expert Digital Service Interaction, Philips Polska, cooperation with Katarzyna Szucka, a psychology student.
I consider the Mentorship Project, which I have been participating in almost from its beginning, as an expression of trust in me, recognition of my experience, which I can use in my relations with young people. The project is unique because of how many people of different professions and professional experiences are involved in it. It's not that only a mentee benefits from mentorship cooperation. A mentor also benefits. Each edition is different, each mentee is different. I am always looking for new ways of understanding, communication, methods of cooperation. This year, we have switched from regular meetings in the project to permanent cooperation. Antoni works for my company and I hope that he will continue to do so
– Krzysztof Garbacz, Director of the Retail Banking Region in Lodz, PKO Bank Polski, cooperation with Antoni Cheda, a student of finance and accounting.
Students about the Mentorship Project
We have also asked the students to share their thoughts and observations on the participation in the project. We encourage you to watch a short video in which this year's mentees tell you why it is worth taking advantage of the opportunity to develop under the guidance of a mentor.
Apply for the 12th edition of the University of Lodz Mentorship Project
The next, 12th edition of the University of Lodz Mentorship Project starts in October 2024. We encourage students from all faculties of the University of Lodz to start their adventure as part of the project. If you are interested in working with a mentor, please fill in the application form. We will let you know you about the start of the call!
If you are curious about the previous editions of the University of Lodz Mentorship Project, please visit the project website.
Source: Magdalena Paszko, Centre for External Relations, University of Lodz
Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz
Photos: Bartosz Kałużny (Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)