Think Career: Mentorship Programme

 

✅ 5 months    |   ✅ Max 30 mentees & max 30 mentors    |   ✅ Entirely free

 

The importance of mentorship and guidance cannot be understated in a world where career paths are as diverse as the individuals walking them. Our mentorship programme  Think Career is a five-month program designed to connect, empower, and help unemployed or underemployed international professionals in Finland find employment in their areas of expertise.

It is open to people from all backgrounds and industries, not just those of African descent.

 

 

For mentees:

Think Career commits to matching bright minds with experienced mentors. As a mentee, you will embark on self-discovery, familiarisation with the Finnish job market, and professional growth. Our mentors will guide you through the nuances of job searching in Finland, identifying the opportunities and challenges in your field, sharing their expertise, and supporting you to effectively network within the relevant groups for your profession. 

Think of it as your personalised roadmap to success, tailored with the help of an expert who doesn’t just talk the talk but has walked the walk.

 

2024 mentees’ testimonials:

1. Ajay, Spring 2024 mentee: 

“I got two ambassadorship offers from two communities. Currently, I am working as a talent ambassador for Curious Talent startup. I’m organising their community events, coffee chats, and working with one podcast”.

2. Najwa, Spring 2024 mentee:

From Guidance to Growth: A Mentee’s Journey Through the Think Career Mentorship Programme

3. Hebella, Spring 2024 mentee: 

“My mentor, Malin, has been great in helping me identify what I want to do in Finland. She has connected me with some people whom she thinks could be a good network. Currently, we are working on refining my elevator pitch.”

4. Adéla, Spring 2024 mentee:

“After a few months in the career mentoring program, I received an internship offer in the City of Tampere. This is a perfect example of how one person can truly make a difference in someone’s life. My mentor, Denise, not only helped me prepare for the job interview, but she also played a crucial role in rebuilding my self-confidence, which had taken a hit after a long period of job seeking.”

For mentors:

Joining the Think Career Mentorship Programme as a mentor is an exceptional chance to make a lasting impact on a person’s life. Your knowledge, skills, and experience have the power to shape the trajectories of other fellow professionals. Every success story hinges on encounters with people who believe in one’s potential and steer one’s path in the right direction.

Plus, witnessing your mentee’s progress and helping them understand the work life culture in Finland  is immensely rewarding.

 

What support will I receive as a mentor?

• After the official opening of the programme, a coaching session is organized for mentors. There, you will receive guidance from a professional coach providing guidelines on being a mentor and sharing experience and effective practices.
• Your mentee normally takes the lead in setting the objectives and goals, whether they need support on career change, Finnish job market, CV, cover letter, interviews, mindset, etc.
• Mentors are treated to a dinner after the program as a Thank You.

 

Conditions & availability requirements for the mentor:

• Willingness to listen and share experiences, give insights about your field, and support a mentee to expand their networks in that field.
• Mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet one-on-one offline or online at least twice a month. These are agreed between the pair according to their convenience. You are free to connect via any communication channel suitable for both of you and continue the conversation there. If possible, we suggest having the first meeting in-person as it could simplify the introduction process and foster a stronger mentor-mentee relationship.
• 3 out of 6 group sessions for the mentees are optional for mentors but could be a good additional support to the mentee. Those expert-led sessions could also be beneficial for  mentors themselves.

 

Spring 2025 Round waitlist:

Apply as a mentee: https://forms.gle/pC1e2z6NkJAyxwFbA

Apply as a mentor: https://forms.gle/5kB1CLJSE8f4j3d99

The information you provide will only be used for the purpose of matching you to mentors or mentees. If there is a match, we will contact you during spring 2025.

Questions? Reach out to our programme coordinator Sofia Achame at sofia@thinkafrica.fi or +358 50 5534444

 

Community spirit at the heart of Think Career:

At Think Career, community spirit is at our core. Joining us means becoming part of a supportive network of peers and mentors, fostering shared learning, creativity, and collective growth.

Our Programme aims to increase the professional networks of both mentees and mentors through organising relevant events/workshops. In the past, we have had networking events where Finnish companies and organizations shared insights into their operations, hiring practices, and commitments to diversity and inclusion. 

Think Career is where guidance, community, and opportunity converge, helping you achieve your professional aspirations.