Become a Mentor

How does the Emerging Leaders Mentoring Programme work?

Recently redesigned, the Programme brings together students and alumni to learn from each other’s experiences, inspire one another and for the mentor to offer advice, support and guidance. During the process, students and mentors become equal partners in a professional relationship and benefit from each other’s input and feedback. The programme aims to support Hertie students in developing as values-driven, effective leaders — equipping them not just with career guidance but with the mindset, confidence, and leadership capacities required to lead ethically and inclusively.

The sessions are designed to help students orient themselves in a new phase of their lives – not to provide them with job opportunities.

Emerging Leaders Mentoring Programme quick facts:

• 1:1 Mentoring format over 8 months (Oct–May)
• Flexible engagement: online, hybrid, or in-person, based on pair preferences
• Open to 1st and 2nd-year students exploring or stepping into leadership roles — within group projects, student initiatives, internships, or future jobs
• Onboarding workshops for both mentors and mentees
• Monthly leadership themes with curated blogs, prompts, and discussion ideas
• Mid-program survey and structured reflection session at programme close

What are the benefits for mentors?

• Gain insight into current trends and tendencies among future key players in your area of expertise.
• Help someone by discussing questions around their personal and professional development and expanding their professional network whilst sharing your experience.
• Get impulses and inspiration for your work environment - What do you have to offer as an employer to attract top-level graduates? What are the interests and goals of the current student generation?
• Reflect and rethink professional or even personal decisions.