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MCI Innsbruck: Mentoring Program

Connects MCI alumni mentors with final‑year students for a nine‑month, guided career mentoring relationship.

Who is it for?

Final‑year MCI students seeking guidance

Overview

The MCI Mentoring Program links MCI alumni who want to share professional experience with students in their final year of full‑time study, offering an informal, experience‑based exchange to support career orientation, personal development and network building. The program follows a clear nine‑month framework while allowing each mentoring pair to design the content and intensity of their cooperation.

Who can take part

Mentors: MCI graduates with professional experience (typically around 3–5 years or more) from diverse industries who are willing to accompany and reflect on young people’s development.
Mentees: Students of MCI full‑time programmes in their final year looking for guidance on career entry, personal development and practical next steps.

Format and time commitment

The structured program runs for nine months (official framework) and is designed to be flexible in format (face‑to‑face meetings, phone, video, e‑mail). Pairs are encouraged to agree a suitable rhythm and scope up front; the program literature recommends a minimum of about 5–6 meetings of roughly 1.5 hours each (totaling roughly 8–10 hours), though actual intensity depends on both partners.

Matching and roles

Mentor profiles are made available to eligible students, who select preferred mentors from the pool; a Student & Career office checks selections for fit and the mentee then initiates the first contact shortly before the official start. Mentors act as advisors, coaches and sounding boards—not as direct recruiters or guarantors of job placement—and mentorship participation is voluntary.

Support and recognition

Preparation: Mentors receive a compact online preparation webinar to help frame the role and expectations.
Ongoing support: Both mentors and mentees receive periodic stimulus messages during the mentoring phase with suggestions and guiding questions that can be used optionally.
Recognition: Mentors who successfully accompany at least one student receive a digital MCI Mentor Badge documenting their contribution.

Why join

For mentees: authentic insights into working life, targeted feedback on career steps, accelerated personal development and network expansion.
For mentors: opportunity to give back, develop leadership and coaching skills, gain fresh perspectives from young talent and maintain ties to the university.