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One-off mentoring offers short-term career support to help students take the next step in their career path or address challenges related to work life. This could involve:

• Sharing experiences in a specific field or working for a certain employer
• Helping with articulating strengths and values
• Encouraging the creation of a personalized career path

One-off mentoring is suitable for situations where a student seeks support, information, or perspectives on practical topics related to their career path or work life. 

For more comprehensive and extended support in career development and work-related reflections, the Aalto University Mentoring Programme is available.

What are the goals of one-off mentoring?

For students, the goal of flash mentoring is to facilitate the exchange of tacit knowledge and experiences, provide support in career design, and offer networking opportunities. Students gain valuable insights, guidance, and expertise from mentors who share a similar educational background and/or have experience in a field of interest to the student. 

The one-pff mentor's role is to help students in overcoming practical challenges related to career design.

Why become an one-off mentor?

Engaging in one-off mentoring also benefits the mentor's personal growth and learning. Reasons to become a flash mentor include:

• Investing in well-being: Helping others has been proven to enhance one's well-being. Sharing what you already know and can do is an easy way to give back.
• Acting easily and flexibly: Opportunities for brief but purposeful interactions according to your own schedule.
• Networking: Expand your network by meeting students who might become future colleagues and have interesting expertise, skills, and perspectives.
• Gaining fresh perspectives: Learn about new ideas and viewpoints that help approach familiar challenges from a different angle.
• Developing communication skills: Influence your own development and personal growth.

What topics can be covered in one-off mentoring?

Flash mentoring tackles practical questions related to career paths and work life. Possible discussion topics include:

• Experiences in a certain field or workplace
• Recognizing and articulating strengths, values, and goals
• Personal career story and identity
• Crafting a unique career path / alternative career paths
• Networking
• Self-confidence
• Applying for summer jobs
• Meaningful work
• Sustainable work life
• Responsibility
• Diversity
• Well-being and work-life balance
• Different work cultures

How does one-off mentoring work in practice?

One-off mentoring involves one-time meetings with each individual student, so continuous mentoring is not required.

Who can become an one-off mentor?

The opportunity to become an one-off mentor is open to all Aalto University alumni. All you need is willingness to help!

How can I become an one-off mentor?

We are currently identifying volunteer alumni for the flash mentoring pilot for the year 2026. If you're interested in becoming an one-off mentor, please don't hesitate to get in touch: ella.tiilikainen@aalto.fi We're happy to share more about this flexible way to share your career experience with students!