MINTmentoring experience report

Field report by Nicole H.

MINT Women's Expertise Workshop

As a technical product designer in mechanical and plant engineering, I mainly work with men. As a career starter (I completed my training at ELHA MASCHINENBAU Liemke KG in 2012), this initially presented me with major challenges. In the meantime, however, this working situation has become a pleasant part of everyday life. I enjoy working in this "man's world".

Participation in the skills workshop for STEM women also contributed to this. The aim of the skills workshop was to prepare female career starters for everyday working life in mentoring sessions and to support them in developing their careers in the company. In this way, the participating companies were able to attract skilled workers at an early stage, make it easier for them to start their careers and secure their young talent for specialist and management positions in the long term.

During the skills workshop for STEM women, I was able to gain a lot of crucial experience in the STEM field as a mentee. As a mentee, I was not only supported by my line manager, but also by a mentor for almost a year, as well as being supported in my career development and positioning within the company.

The mentors and mentees came from different companies (cross-mentoring). The mentees were matched with suitable mentors by comparing their profiles. This matching was a perfect fit. I was and am more than satisfied with my mentor and I am still in contact with her now that the project has ended.

The tandem relationship with her was always based on partnership and trust. Working with her strengthened me on a personal level in particular. My mentor was able to pass on many of her experiences to me. My direct line manager was involved in the project via a framework programme. He still emphasises the further development of my professional and personal position, which enabled me to take part in the project.

I learnt a lot of new things and broadened my horizons by interacting with the other STEM mentoring participants. As a mentee, I was able to gain a lot of new ideas and build a new network. The neutral view of the mentors from the outside and the insights into the work of others were very valuable. I was able to learn a lot from this.