If you would like to prepare for the next step in your career, then you can make use of the experience of a senior colleague of another division or faculty who makes him or herself available as a mentor. This senior colleague will help you achieve your learning goals or think along in taking concrete steps in your career.
About the programme
The mentoring programme starts at the end of October 2026 with separate workshops for mentors and mentees. Following the workshop, individual intake interviews are held with the mentees.
Mentors and mentees rated the programme (2024-2025) with 4.4 and 4.3 respectively on a five-point scale.
Quotes mentees:
- ‘I have learned how important it is to stay true to my own values and to discover what gives me energy.’
- ‘My rational thinking and emotions have become more balanced thanks to the insights gained from the mentoring sessions.’
Quotes mentors:
- ‘A valuable look behind the scenes of another unit, which has broadened my perspective.‘
- ‘Further development of my coaching skills through guiding others.’
Topics for discussion
Each mentee has 5 meetings with his or her mentor. In the meetings, mentee and mentor address topics focusing on the achievement of the mentee's learning goals, for example:
- Visibility and networking
- Personal effectiveness
- Work-life balance
- Giving direction to your career
For whom?
In the mentoring programme, we pair you as a mentee (salary scale 10 or 11) with a senior colleague (starting at salary scale 12). The matching between mentor and mentee goes beyond the borders of divisions or faculties . Mentor and mentee have 5 conversations in approx. 10 months. You as a mentee are motivated and have a clear development question. Seniority, motivation and coaching skills are important for the mentor.
Planning
- Workshop mentees: Tuesday 27 October 2026, 9.00-10.45 AM
- Workshop mentors (from faculties and divisions): Thursday 29 October 2026
- 12.30-14.45 PM intervision for experienced mentors
- 15.00-18.00 PM workshop for new and experienced mentors
- Intake interviews mentees: Thursday 29 October - Tuesday 10 November 2026
The workshop for mentors is given by Prof. Erik de Haan, director of the Ashridge Center for Coaching and professor of Organisation Development and Coaching at VU Amsterdam. This workshop - for new and experienced mentors from faculties and divisions - covers the mentor-mentee relationship, expectations, and mentor roles. Experienced mentors may participate in an intervision group (subject to sufficient registrations), where practical cases are discussed. Both components are conducted in English.
The workshop for mentees is given by Manon de Haan, HR-advisor School of Business and Economics. Mentees receive an explanation during this workshop about the programme, roles, and possible discussion topics, and they formulate their learning objectives.
The intake interviews with the mentees are conducted by Manon de Haan and Nelleke Goosensen. During the intake interviews, further acquaintance is made with the mentee and their development question is explored in more detail, so that an appropriate match can subsequently be made with a suitable mentor.
Practical information
If you are interested in participating as a mentee, please contact your HR Advisor. The division or faculty is responsible for the selection of the mentees. Mentors are approached by or on behalf of the director of the division or the director of operations of the faculty.
The time investment is approx. 10 hours (participation workshop, intake (mentee) and five 1.5 hour meetings. Thsisdoes not include preparation for the 5 meetings).
Registration for the programme is open until Monday 14 September 2026 to the HR advisor of your unit.
Costs
As a compensation for programme costs, we ask mentees for a contribution of € 30. This contribution is automatically charged to your department.
Contact
Would you like to know more about the mentoring programme for talented professionals in operations of the divisions and faculties of VU Amsterdam? Then please contact the HR Advisor of your faculty or division or Manon de Haan.