How to manage stress at work? How to lead a meeting? What do companies really expect from graduates? And what does a typical working day in the field actually look like?
The k+ mentoring program of the VŠB–TUO Counseling and Career Center opens up questions that students often address only after starting work during their studies. And interest in it is growing significantly.
While 8 mentoring pairs were created in the pilot year, this year 22 students are participating in the program, who have created a total of 32 pairs with experts from practice. The number of students involved has thus almost tripled. This year, 28 mentors from companies, institutions and various professional fields also applied to the program.
It turns out that students today are not only looking for information about the labor market, but above all personal experience, contact with people from the field and the opportunity to see the work environment in real operation. This is exactly what mentoring offers. A large part of the meetings took place directly at the mentors' workplaces. Students were introduced to the corporate environment, some also took field trips and had the opportunity to observe how teams function in practice. In addition to professional topics, questions related to functioning in the work environment naturally arise – time management, stress management, career measurement or, for example, the management of advisors and communication in a team.
“What helped me the most was seeing how things actually work. It helps you imagine what awaits you after school much better,” describes one of the students involved in the program.
A specific element of mentoring is also the opportunity to work with multiple mentors at the same time. Some students took advantage of this opportunity and gained a broader perspective on different companies, work cultures and approaches to the field.
However, the benefits of the program are not only perceived by the students. For many mentors, cooperation is an opportunity to meet a new generation and gain a new perspective on their own work.
“Students often come with a different way of thinking, new ideas and energy. It is interesting to see how I think about the future or technologies,” describes one of the mentors.
The k+ mentoring program is based on individual cooperation between a student and a professional from practice during one semester. It includes at least three meetings according to the needs of both parties - in person or online. The VSB-TUO Counseling and Career Center also ensures the support of a safe environment for students and mentors throughout the entire cooperation.
The program has long confirmed that connecting the university with practice does not have to be only formal. Personal contact, sharing experiences and the opportunity to see the field "from the inside" are among the things that students can do to get a clearer idea of their future while still studying.
New program starts in each semester
Thanks to the growing interest of students, the k+ mentoring program will now take place twice a year. In addition to the current run in the summer semester, another run in the winter semester is being added, which will start in the winter semester of 2026.
Registration for the next run of the program will be launched in September 2026. Students will be able to follow the latest information on the PKC website, social networks and in the newsletter.
The program is open to students from all faculties who want to gain a greater understanding of practice, be inspired by the experiences of experts, and better prepare for their future professional direction. It is personal contact with practice that often determines the path students take after school.