This week 18 Master of Science students concluded a year full of experiences, while last week 18 students started on a new journey.
Last night of the International Mentor Programme 2009-2010
After a year of meetings, group work, lectures and new experiences, the 8th class of the International Mentor Programme for Master of Science students had their final gathering on Thursday April 29th. The event started with a “speed-dating” session where the mentors and adepts had a few minutes to discuss with each participant what they felt they had achieved through the programme.
Afterwards a tapas dinner was served and the participants enjoyed the food while talking enthusiastically among each other.
The evening was concluded with statements from each mentor and adept to each other being read out load while diplomas where handed out. Both adepts and mentors agreed that it had been a very rewarding year where they learnt a lot and have been able to include more management tools in their personal toolbox.
There are some descriptions that are typically for a good adept in this programme: Highly motivated, focused, with good communication skills and interests and experiences from outside their studies. The adepts in the programme have lived up to these descriptions, and mentors who are experienced in business have also learnt something from them.
Putting career and personal development in an intercultural context is educational for all participants, regardless of work background.
Meeting new friends - International Mentor Programme 2010-2011
The newest class in BI’s International Mentor Programme for Master of Science had their first meeting on April 21st. The 18 adepts and 18 mentors have been paired and will work together for a year. This year academic knowledge will be in focus, not the least the individual meetings between mentor and adept where the couple gets to know each other and can exchange experiences.
Through the mentor programme the master students who are part of the programme will increase their competence level as an arena for personal growth and reflection on career and professional choices is created. In addition relations with participants in Norwegian business life are built.
To find mentors and adepts who are a good fit is a long process with applications, interviews of both parties and a matching process based on goals, personality and experience. From 55 applicants and 30 interviews, 18 highly motivated and focused adepts stand here today and can look forward to a rewarding and exciting year of new experiences.
This year the adepts are from USA, Russia, India, Canada, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, China, Romania, Sweden, Thailand and Norway. They represent all of BI’s master programmes, except Master of Professional Accountancy (Master i regnskap og revisjon).
BI looks for mentors from a wide range of sectors and positions, and the chosen ones have varied backgrounds and education. This year the sectors include Consultancy, IT, Finance, Recruitment, and Oil and gas. The 18 mentors were selected from approximately 80 applicants (who applied for both programmes; bachelor and master). The mentors are very motivated to take on the role as mentor for a BI student, and they wish to contribute with and share their experience and knowledge.
