Graduates to Become Mentors for HSE Students

A mentoring programme has been launched at HSE that combines graduate experience with student aspirations for professional development. Mentees will pick up on life hacks which are essential for survival in any industry.

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HSE actively encourages mentoring in many different areas, including between junior and senior students, and between local and international students, to assist with adaptation to study and life in Russia. Even while still studying, it is imperative that students have access to professional mentors. Mentors possess an ‘insider’ perspective and can guide students to help them achieve their professional goals.

With the creation of the mentoring programme at HSE, a pool of graduates will be formed that will provide students with advice on professional issues, and explain and even show how the industry works and what life in the industry looks like. In order to match mentors and mentees, a special application system for potential programme participants has been created. Graduates from the fields of marketing, media, education and business are already set to become mentors and the list of mentoring areas is constantly growing.

Mentoring can take place in different ways. The mentor and mentee agree on the system that works best for them. This may be a one-off consultation on a specific issue, or a series of sessions, for example, in the company where the mentor works. Such interaction not only enhances the student’s professional development, it also helps them to improve their communication skills and self-presentation, and most importantly, provides them with the opportunity to network.

Such a mentoring programme for students can be likened to a ‘social elevator’: students navigate the professional world more easily and systematically, and consciously define their professional development and career trajectory. Participation in the programme is also beneficial for the mentor: not only does the mentor get satisfaction from being involved in such a social programme, they can also be inspired by their mentees’ fresh ideas and even begin to build a talent pipeline for their company.

Students can ask a range of questions of their mentors: from how to properly put together a CV and what skills they will need in order to climb the career ladder, to how to behave with their future boss. You can also ask for advice on how to respond in the everyday situations that life throws your way. The programme will help students to build their self-confidence and perhaps even to establish a friendship with a future peer who will support and guide them on their way to a successful career.

Igor Chirikov, Vice Rector and Director of the HSE Centre of Sociology of Higher Education. Mentor in the field of ‘Education’.

I aim to pass on to my mentees my visions for university development and for dealing with problems in higher education in Russia and other countries. This is most suited to those who are actively involved in the field of student government or who are interested in university management.

Andrei Gromkovskiy – Managing Director, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment in Russia and the CIS. Mentor in the field of ‘Media’.

The mentoring programme is not only a way to train future employees and help young people. It is also a very serious learning process for both the mentor and the student. Students teach me to look at the world differently, they open my eyes to new things. In turn, I use my experience and knowledge to help students define their goals, to help them decide what’s important and what isn’t, and to help them realise their potential.

Maria Kolyubaeva, creative producer in TV. Mentor in the field of ‘Media’.

I wish to mentor students who are interested in real work and real results. I would love to involve them in my mission to conquer the world on the TV channel ‘Friday!’ (Russian: ‘Пятница!’) and to include students in my online school, which is soon to be launched. I would also like to support those who want to create video content. And one more thing - I haven’t forgotten what it's like to be a student!