Tandem2Job: Mentoring program for international students
Tandem2Job is a mentoring program in which experienced professionals support international students on their way into the German job market. In one-to-one mentoring, the mentees gain a very personal insight into the world of work and can discuss their individual career concerns with an experienced professional. By working with the young international talents of tomorrow, the mentors are offered an exciting intercultural exchange of experience.
The one-to-one mentoring in the tandems is the core of the program. In the tandem sessions, the mentees can explore their strengths and competitive advantages for entering the German labor market and discuss solution strategies for dealing with challenges together with their mentors. As part of an action plan, they also agree on specific measures to achieve their career goals, such as attending networking events or participating in workshops.
Registration for the mentoring program
You can apply for the 2027 program year at any time. Deadline to apply as a student (mentee) for the program 2026 is March 15, 2026 (we will consider all applications received by 11:59 p.m.) latest. Please use our student (mentee) application form.
Registration as a mentor is possible at any time. If you register as a mentor before the matching process of the respective cohort, we will assign you to a suitable mentee. Registrations after the matching process will be added to our mentor pool and we will contact you when the next program cycle starts. Please use our mentor application form.
Program schedule
After the application and selection process, mentees and mentors are matched into pairs based on shared interests. At the kickoff event, the pairs get to know each other and set goals and define the focus of the mentoring. Following this, mentoring sessions take place at least once a month for approximately six months (in person, via Skype, or by phone). Since the program supports entry into the German job market, mentoring is conducted primarily in German. If mentors can offer other languages, this will be taken into account whenever possible.
Participation in the kick-off event, the midterm meeting, and the career fair is mandatory. Participants who also submit a final report and take part in the evaluation will receive a certificate.
Mentors for the program are international graduates of TU Dortmund University who have successfully entered the German labor market or experienced employees from Dortmund-based and regional companies. Each mentor shares his or her experience and successful strategies for entering the job market and supports international talents in their personal career planning.
In addition to these benefits, the mentors also have the opportunity to gain extra personal experience by participating in the program:
- Reflection on their own career
- Network expansion
- Strengthening individual coaching and leadership skills
- Recruiting for the employer respectively your own company
- Certificate confirming the mentoring activity
If you are interested in the Tandem2Job mentoring program as a mentor and would like to learn more about the program, please contact us and / or register via our mentor application form.
The program addresses international students who would like to gain an intensive and personal insight into the working world in Germany in a one-to-one mentoring session and reflect on their own career goals with an experienced person.
Applying for the program is possible for:
- International students who have come to Germany to study and are pursuing a degree from TU Dortmund University and
- International students with refugee background, pursuing their degree at TU Dortmund University.
- The students should be at least in the fifth semester of their first degree or in the master's program as well as concretely planning their career entry.
- International graduates of TU Dortmund University who are in the phase of their career entry.
To apply for the program, please use our student (mentee) application form.
Please find the program flyer here.
Benefits for Mentees
- Getting to know fields of work an structures at first hand
- Expanding the personal network
- Sharpening the applicant profile
- Further qualifications and hands-on experience through workshops
- Advice für job search
- Tips for communikation with superiors and co-workers
- Certificate of participation
Duties of the Mentees:
- Participation in the meetings of the program (networking and final meetings) and in the individual meetings.
- Preparation the one-to-one meetings with the mentor
- Participation in accompanying activities such as workshops
- Confidential handling of information
- Final report at the end of the program
Benefit through Exchange and Networking
Not only the mentees gain from their participation in the Tandem2Job program, e.g. by getting to know the fields of work and structures of certain industries at first hand and by benefiting from the wealth of experience of their mentor. Through their volunteer work, mentors expand their own network, improve their coaching and leadership skills, and have the opportunity to reflect on their own career path. For employers, the program is also an attractive recruiting tool. Through this measure, TU Dortmund University actively supports the potential of its international talents while at the same time strengthening its alumni work and third mission activities.
„Participating in the Tandem2Job mentoring program was very worthwhile for me because I was always supported by an experienced person in my job search. (translated testimonial)“
„It was so refreshing to be able to work with students again after a long separation from academia, and that also on such a central issue as finding the right first job. (translated testimonial)“
„I am proud to have been able to help my mentee prepare the application for his dream job and that this application led to success. (translated testimonial)“
„Tandem2Job is a great opportunity for international students who have no experience in finding a job and work culture in Germany. (translated testimonial)“
Contact
Please contact us by e-mail tandem2job@tu-dortmund.de for more information about the program.
This project is funded by:
