What is the Professional Companion programme?
The mentoring programme Professional Companion will ensure that students receive a companion from the field. The programme will contribute to a better connection to the job market, specifically targeting VU's culturally diverse students.
The companions/mentors will help these students gain a better understanding of working life, as well as advise them on relevant academic subjects and the development of necessary soft and social skills. They will provide the students with a secure base (a safe foundation and inspiration) and access to their network by allowing the students to shadow them within the organization. We are particularly considering professionals working at the Zuidas to take on the role of companion.
Conversely, the professionals can also learn a lot by interacting with this specific group through reverse mentoring, as many companies have the ambition to build a more diverse workforce. As such, this programme creates a win-win situation.
Academic year 2025-2026
The programme is designed to last for one year. In this academic year, the programme focuses on master's students from the department of Organization Sciences and the Faculty of Law. Many master's students from these programmes are interested in a job in consulting, HR advice, the financial professional service industry, legal professions and the field of justice.
The VU Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL) will support the companions to ensure quality mentoring. The professional companions will receive an initial half-day workshop that will focus on their role as companions. Principles such as deep learning, reverse mentoring, being a secure base, reflection on one's own professional identity, and mentoring skills will be addressed.
The mentoring programme will officially start on Friday 21 November 2025. We opt for a light form of guidance: on a yearly basis, there will be three companion meetings and one day of shadowing at the organization, spread over six months. Nonetheless, the impact will be significant, as students will connect with a potential secure base from the field, and that relationship can continue beyond the mentoring period. The content of the meetings will be determined based on the learning needs of student and companion.
End of May 2026 an inspiration meeting will be organized for the professional companions, where they can gain insights into how people learn and develop. One of the participating students will also give a presentation about their experiences with the programme. There will also be an opportunity to meet other companions and exchange knowledge.