"Like a big sister": getting started with a mentor at your side

When should I attend which course? Where do I register? And how do I get what information and when? There are many unanswered questions at the beginning of a degree course. First semester students receive support with the help of the mentoring program at RPTU: a mentor, an experienced student, supports a mentee, a first-year student from the same subject.

Christine Strickler is studying technophysics in her sixth bachelor's semester. Lara Steuerwald is a Master's student of food chemistry. And Sarah Jung is studying computer science and is currently in her third master's semester. All three are experienced RPTU students. But that is by no means the only thing they have in common: the three of them are mentors. In other words, they support and accompany a first semester student in their respective subject, a mentee.

The mentoring scheme for first-year students was set up by the Equal Opportunities, Diversity and Family Office. It is an offer of support, as women are still underrepresented in some subjects. "We match mentees and mentors in tandem," explains Christine Klein, who coordinates the program at RPTU. The aim is for the more experienced student to advise the younger student in her first two semesters, give her a helping hand - and sometimes warn her of the odd stumbling block. The number of female participants proves the success of the project: A total of 150 female students from different research groups are once again available as mentors this year.

"The mentee decides for herself when and what help she needs"

"The program helps first-year students to find their feet at university," reports Christine Strickler, who was accompanied by a mentor herself at the beginning of her own time at university. It gives you a different perspective on many things: "With a mentor, you have another pool of knowledge."

How exactly do the three perform their voluntary role? Sarah Jung, who has already mentored three mentees, remembers that there are lots of conversations at the beginning: "I'm always available for the mentees via WhatsApp." Lara Steuerwald adds: "For example, we give them information about the organization of their studies. We talk about when, where and how to register and prepare for exams." Sometimes mentor and mentee also study for exams together. "The whole thing is very individual," says Lara Steuerwald. "The mentee decides for herself when and what help she needs."

Speaking of individual - the 1:1 support also takes into account the special features of the respective degree program: "In computer science, for example, if you start your studies in the summer semester, there are options from the first semester onwards. I have already given advice on this too," says Sarah Jung. And Christine Strickler adds: "I've already helped with the study plan. And given tips on when and why you should do a certain internship earlier."

Interested first-year students can get in touch at any time

Christine Klein receives very good feedback on the mentoring program: "I keep hearing from the mentees that they benefit from the safety net that the program offers them." Interested first-year students can make initial contact with her by email: "In the next step, I ask them to fill out a questionnaire." In addition to the field of study, hobbies and other interests are also taken into account. "I then use this knowledge to try to bring together the most suitable tandems." To clarify further expectations, the prospective mentee can write a letter to their future mentor. This is followed by an initial meeting - usually in Christine Klein's office on campus in Kaiserslautern.

Workshops and events: A community of its own at RPTU

In addition to the individual mentee-mentor relationship, all participants in the program also benefit from the workshops offered by the Equal Opportunities, Diversity and Family Office: "It's all about expanding soft skills," says Christine Klein. "For example, self-motivation, how to master challenging communication - or discovering your own strengths. These are all topics that help female students to get through their studies well." Joint barbecue parties, games evenings and Christmas parties round off the social events. "And we have information events that are organized by some of the mentors themselves," adds Christine Klein. The focus here is on experiences with a doctoral thesis, stays abroad during studies or scholarship programs.

But back to the three mentors: They reflect on their own start to their studies, learning to guide others in a certain way. A skill that is important for one or two of them for their future careers: "For example, if you supervise student assistants during a doctorate," says Christine Strickler. As a mentor, you gain an understanding of "what problems others may have. What problems you are confronted with. You gain empathy".

And what else does Christine Klein hear from the mentees? "One or two have already told me that their mentor was like a big sister to them at the beginning of their studies. A big sister who you can ask anything." Female power that makes the start of your studies easier.

Contact and further information:

Christine Klein

Mentoring for female students

Equal Opportunities, Diversity & Family Office

At RPTU in Kaiserslautern

Mail: zv-mentoring[at]rptu.de