Communication is in focus during this year’s mentorship programme

The mentorship programme at Stockholm University connects alumni and students for a shared exchange of experiences and inspiration. The programme runs over one academic year, and each mentor pair meets regularly throughout the programme. Eight departments and 35 mentor pairs are participating in the programme this year.

During the kick-off, Lena Lid Falkman spoke about communication through active listening. Photo: Stockholm University.

The departments responsible for pairing mentors and mentees

The departments are responsible for recruiting and matching students and alumni.

"The matching process is skillfully handled by the departments. Their comprehensive knowledge of their alumni and students is key to achieving optimal mentor pairs," says Karin Folcker, project manager for alumni relations at Stockholm University.

Broaden horizons beyond academia

Two of the students that are participating in the programme are Lena Aisch and Wei-Chieh Wang. They are both from the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry. Lena is studying the Master's Programme in Analytical Chemistry and Wei-Chieh is doing a PhD.

“I signed up for the mentorship programme because I wanted to broaden my horizons beyond the academic field," says Lena. "My mentor has a PhD but now works in the industry, and it's perfect because I can learn more about both what it's like to pursue a PhD and what it's like to work outside of academia."

"As I am new to Sweden, I want to learn more about the culture here. I am also uncertain about what I want to do after my PhD, so the mentorship programme felt like a great opportunity to discuss both of these aspects with a mentor who has been in a similar situation," says Wei-Chieh.

Communication and active listening

In addition to the meetings between mentor and mentee, the mentorship programme includes several joint meetings. During this year’s kick-off, Lena Lid Falkman spoke about communication through active listening. Lena Lid Falkman is a researcher and teacher at the Stockholm School of Economics and Karlstad University, specialising in leadership, communication, and organisational issues.

"During the programme, participants will learn more about active listening, networking, and oral presentation," says Karin Folcker. "Regardless of whether you are studying or working, you can benefit from this knowledge and we hope it will be inspiring and thought-provoking for both our students and alumni.”

This year the following departments are participating in the programme:

• Department of Biology Education
• Department of Ethnology, History of Religions and Gender Studies 
• Department of Linguistics
• Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry
• Department of Media Studies
• Department of Political Science
• Department of Public Health Sciences
• Stockholm Resilience Centre

Do you want to know more?

Please get in touch with us at alumn@su.se or read more at the Alumni Mentorship Programme.