TANDEM was the first mentoring programme RWTH Aachen established in 2002. It addresses female graduate and doctoral students from all fields of study (except for medicine) at RWTH Aachen University. TANDEM offers the mentees support and guidance regarding future career decisions and qualification opportunities through the assignment of mentors, monthly network meetings and the possibility to participate in workshops on career-related topics.
The programme is anchored in the agreement on objectives between RWTH Aachen and the federal ministry of North Rhine-Westphalia and is not temporarily limited

Content and Objectives

The different modules of the programme, in particular the assignment of an experienced mentor, promote and support specific career plans of participants (mentees). They experience a strengthening of potentials and competencies and are accompanied while setting the course for their scientific and professional career.
Hereby networking and strategic self-marketing are the main components of the professional qualification. Thematic events, educational modules and network meetings are therefore additional components of the programme activities. These measures also countervail the high drop out rate of women and contribute to the enhancement of women in leadership positions within and outside the university.

The one year cycles comprise the following aspects for mentees:

• Assignment of a suitable mentor
• Participation in corresponding events (e.g. kick off and closing event, etc.)
• Participation in seminars on professional or career related topics
• Participation in monthly network meetings
• Participation in quarterly thematic events

Benefits

Both, mentee and mentor are benefitting from the programme individually and professionally.

Benefits for Mentees:

• Structuring and determination of professional goals
• Development of individual career strategies
• Improvement of individual and professional competencies
• Practical and efficient planning of career entry
• Insight into structures and informal rules within the scientific community
• Access to formal and informal networks
• Establishment of own networks and contacts

Benefits for mentors:

• Close contact to junior scientists – Getting to know the faculty from a different perspective
• Reflection on own professional career path
• Active promotion of junior scientists
• Practise social and communication skills
• Extension of own networks and contacts
• Contribution to a positive outside image of RWTH Aachen University

Terms of participation

• Active participation in the mentoring relationship
• Participation in corresponding events (e.g. kick off and closing event, etc.)
• Participation in seminars and network meetings
• Participation fee 50 € (students) / 75€ (doctorale candidates)

Application

Interested graduate and doctoral students can apply once a year during the summer semester. The acceptance into the programme requires a letter of motivation, a standardised application form (only in German) and a résumé.
Applications are also possible by e-mail.

Contact

RWTH Aachen University
Project Coordinator TANDEM
Dipl.-Soz.-Arb. Gitta Doebert

Integration Team - Human Resources, Gender and Diversity Management
Templergraben 55
52056 Aachen
Tel.: +49 (0)241/8096563

mentoring@rwth-aachen.de