Mentor Programme speed date event
When: | Th 25-09-2025 15:30 - 16:30 |
Where: | Greenergy (Energy Academy), Nijenborgh 6, Groningen |
Are you interested in being coached by a senior colleague? Do you wish to learn from the experience of others on topics such as life-work balance, career path, stress management, or many other topics? » Then join the YoungRUG Mentor Programme as a mentee! «
Or are you excited to pass on the experience and expertise you've gained over the years to others? Are you interested in getting to know your (younger) colleagues better and offering them guidance? » Then mentorship might be the perfect fit for you! «
In 2019, the UG mentor programme for professional staff was launched by YoungRUG in cooperation with HR. In this programme, young professionals (mentees) are matched with more experienced colleagues (mentors), embarking together on an inspiring journey of professional development.
The goal of the mentor programme is to facilitate mutual learning. A mentor – an experienced colleague in every sense of the word – shares personal knowledge and expertise and provides support for professional growth. As a mentee – someone who is new to the job market or to the UG – you can gain valuable insights from your mentor and find inspiration for your career path.

Become a mentee
1. Sign up
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If you want to be a mentee, make sure to sign up before 14 July and fill out the preferences that you have for topics to discuss with your mentor. |
2. Mentee preparation workshop
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During this workshop, we will share all necessary information about the mentor programme with you. This way, you know what you can expect from your mentor, but also what your mentor expects from you. This will help you make the most of this programme! If you wish to become a mentee, you have to be available for the workshop:
When? 10 September 2025, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. OR 18 September 2025, 3 - 5 p.m.
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3. Speeddate event
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It might seem ages ago that you signed up for the mentor programme but in the meantime we have done our best to find three potential mentor-matches who you will meet during our speed date event in September. To find the perfect match for you, we will arrange three speeddate sessions of about 10 minutes. At the end of the event you will provide us with your top 3 potential mentors. We will inform you about your perfect match the week after. If you wish to become a mentee, you have to be available for the speeddate event:
When? 25 September 2025, 3.30 - 4.30 p.m.
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4. Your own journey
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After the most successful match is made, you and your mentor make appointments to meet each other yourselves.
When? About 5 meetings between October 2025 and April 2026 (depending on your needs) |
Are you enthusiastic about the mentor programme? And are you available for the preparation workshop and the speed date event, and interested in about five sessions with a mentor until April 2026? The first step is to sign up via the button below before 14 July!
Please note that there is a limited number of mentors and application is on a first-come-first-serve basis. In the unfortunate event that a suitable matching option is unavailable, you may not be paired with a mentor following the speed date event.
Become a mentor
As a mentor, you'll have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with your mentee, helping them navigate the challenges they encounter throughout their career. Drawing from your own experiences, you'll offer valuable advice and insights to support the mentee’s development.
1. Check what we expect from mentors |
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2. Sign up |
Do you meet the criteria for mentors and are you enthusiastic to take on the role of mentor? Make sure to sign up before 14 July. |
3. Mentor preparation workshop |
The workshop focuses on your role as a mentor and the essential skills needed for effective communication with mentees. It offers clarity on your responsibilities and boundaries. Additionally, the workshop provides practical strategies to start your mentoring conversations well. Attendance is mandatory for those who have not previously participated. |
4. Speed date event |
It may feel like a while ago since you signed up for the mentoring programme, but in the meantime, we’ve been working to identify potential mentees for you to meet. You’ll be introduced to them during our speed date event in September. To help find the best match, you’ll take part in three speed date sessions of about 10 minutes with different mentees. At the end of the event, you will submit your top three mentee preferences. We’ll inform you of your match the following week. To take part in the programme, your attendance at the speed date event is essential.
When? 25 September 2025, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
*If there are more mentors than mentees or if there are no suitable matching possibilities, it may happen that you are not paired with a mentee after the speed date event. |
5. The mentoring journey |
After the most successful match is made, you and your mentee make appointments to meet each other yourselves.
When? About 5 meetings between October 2025 and April 2026 (depending on the mentee’s needs) Mentors interested in peer support will have the opportunity to join peer consultancy sessions (in Dutch: intervisie) during this period. |
Are you enthusiastic about the mentoring programme? And are you available for the preparation workshop and the speed date event, and interested in about five sessions with a mentee until April 2026? The first step is to sign up via the button below before 14 July!
Do you want to know more or do you have questions? Please contact YoungRUG at young@rug.nl.