Over a hundred students and alumni from all schools of the Setúbal Polytechnic University (UNIPS) have begun the 10th edition of the Alumni Mentoring Program, which supports the transition to the job market through guidance from professionals with at least five years of experience. The official launch event, held yesterday, Wednesday, brought together mentors and mentees, organized into 56 teams, for an initial contact and sharing session. The partnership will extend, at least, until the end of the academic year.
With recognized impact on students' professional paths, the program values one of the institution's assets, its alumni, by placing their experience at the service of those still in training. The formation of teams is based primarily on profile compatibility, rather than a direct match between fields of study and professional careers.
In the welcome session, UNIPS rector, Ângela Lemos, urged students, mostly finalists, to “make the most of this program, taking advantage of your mentors' experience in different areas, and to explore your weaknesses, transforming them into strengths.” She also thanked the alumni for their continued participation, expressing satisfaction in “seeing that the market recognizes them and that they are always open to initiatives where they can innovate, think, and do things differently.”
Carlos Mata, UNIPS Vice-Rector for Employability, highlighted the importance of “commitment” to ensure the continuity of the 56 teams and the mutual benefit of the experience. “Success for us is seeing our students grow throughout this experience and realizing that mentors return, each edition, to repeat it,” he stated.
Sérgio Veríssimo, a graduate in Information Systems Management and Master's in Business Sciences, has been a mentor for five years and has already guided about 10 students. He explained that the program's added value lies more in behavioral competencies, guiding mentees in facing professional challenges. He identifies common student concerns as adapting to a new company, technical preparation, and aligning resumes with market demands.
Artur Teixeira, a final-year Bioinformatics student, hopes the mentoring will help him prepare for his first job interviews, as he admits to being “introverted and nervous.” He would like guidance on improving his resume and seeking internships from his mentor, a professional in Human Resources Management. Interested in data science and machine learning, he believes that contact with an experienced professional will help him better define his career path.
