UAB alumni professionals to mentor new graduates

A significant part of UAB students face the final part of their studies with great uncertainty about their future options. That is why many wonder how to complete their training or boost their new-born professional career in a context marked by significant challenges such as the environmental crisis or technological revolution brought about by the development of artificial intelligence or big data, among other aspects.

Through the UAB Mentoring programme, UAB graduates who have accumulated outstanding professional experience and led teams or projects will accompany students in their final year and in their first years as graduates to support their personal development and boost their professional career. The aim is for participants to improve their skills, broaden their professional perspectives and learn about the reality of different sectors thanks to the support of mentors.

The meetings between mentors and mentees will be agreed upon between both parties. In order successfully to complete the programme, a minimum of six meetings will be required, of which at least two must be face-to-face. There will also be visits to the company or institution where the mentor carries out their professional tasks. The programme also includes group sessions for both students and mentors on the practice and objectives of mentoring, group training sessions on skills such as negotiation or assertive communication, and a self-knowledge test.

The programme will end with the presentation of the action plans drawn up by the students at a closing event where all those who took part in the programme will be brought together. Participating students may receive three ECTS credits. The mentors will be integrated into a network where they will be able to share experiences and knowledge.

Making the most of this opportunity

At the programme's presentation ceremony, which took place at the Rectorat building, Rector Javier Lafuente showed his pride as a "UABer": he congratulated himself on being one of the 500,000 UAB graduates and, using his own career as an example, encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities offered by a campus university and a programme such as UAB Mentoring to make contact with other students and work with people with a diverse profile, as society will increasingly need professionals with a multidisciplinary vision. "Companies," he said, "need people like you". For this reason, he expressed his "deep gratitude for what you are doing today, but also for what you will do throughout your lives".

Vice Rector for Alumni and Employability Anabel Galán thanked the mentors for their "generosity" and "empathy", and was pleased that all areas of knowledge are represented among the 150 participants. Vice President of the UAB Social Council Alicia Bosch agreed with Vice Rector Galán in encouraging students to "make the most of this opportunity to establish links", emphasising that the UAB represents "a privileged ecosystem of talent, innovation and transfer". After the institutional speeches, the meeting continued with a professional self-knowledge session led by trainer Lluís Bernabé in which the participants analysed their communication styles and the way they communicate with and relate to each other.