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Programul de Mentoring al Secțiunii Române a SPE

A flexible mentoring scheme by SPE Romania that connects energy industry professionals with university students to ease the transition from student to young professional.

Who is it for?

SPE student chapter members (BSc/MSc)

Overview

Launched in 2017 by the SPE Romanian Section Young Professionals, this mentoring program helps students accelerate learning, gain industry insight and prepare for the transition from university to a professional career in upstream energy. The structure is intentionally flexible—pairs agree on activities and communication methods that suit their goals and schedules.

Who can participate

Mentors: SPE professional members and practicing energy industry professionals who want to share experience and guide students.
Mentees: Members of SPE Student Chapters who are Bachelor or Master students (not employed) seeking career and academic guidance.

Commitment & format

The program is typically envisioned as a multi-month mentoring relationship (examples from past editions cite roughly seven months), but many mentor–mentee pairs continue beyond a single edition.
Mentors and mentees are expected to maintain regular contact, with a minimum of two interactions per month using any convenient channels (phone, email, video call, or in-person).
Participants are usually registered on the SPE eMentoring portal as part of the program process.

Expectations and roles

Mentors are expected to inspire, encourage and support mentees, serve as role models, help define realistic goals, provide candid feedback and encourage participation in industry activities.
Mentees should take a proactive role, communicate goals and needs clearly, prepare topics for meetings, be open to feedback, and honor scheduled commitments.

Typical mentoring activities

Professional experience sharing and industry trends discussions
CV/resume reviews, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview simulations
Academic guidance, recommendations for further education or development
Field visits, job shadowing, discussions on career paths (technical vs managerial)
Soft-skills workshops (public speaking, business etiquette), joint learning projects or book/paper clubs

What mentors do not typically provide

Supplemental tutoring for coursework, formal research supervision, guaranteed internships or job offers.

Impact and continuity

Across multiple annual editions since its start, the program has grown in reach and variety of activities, fostering lasting mentor–mentee relationships and practical exposure to the energy industry. Its flexible, volunteer-driven format makes it suitable for professionals who wish to give back and for students seeking tailored career support.