Practicing for a job interview. Wondering whether to stay with the same company after a student placement or gain new experience somewhere else. Reflecting together on where your professional journey should lead. These are exactly the kinds of moments that make a mentoring partnership much more than simply exchanging advice. In the end, both sides benefit. And that is the core of moveMINT
What is moveMINT?
moveMINT – Success through mentoring is an initiative by the Equal Opportunities Office of Mannheim University of Applied Sciences and the Association of Friends of Mannheim University of Applied Sciences (Verein der Freunde der Technischen Hochschule Mannheim e.V.). Over the course of several months, female students and recent graduates from STEM disciplines are paired with mentors from industry and business. Together, they actively shape the transition from university to professional life.
An exchange between equals
The recently completed sixth round of the program shows what this can look like in practice — through the experiences of mentee Anastasija and mentors Alex and Katharina from Pepperl+Fuchs. “What helped me most was having an outside perspective. We talked about questions I would never have come up with on my own. It helped me see my own path more clearly. I realized that I don’t have to have all the answers right away – sometimes it already helps to simply think out loud,” says Anastasija.
For Alex, mentoring was not a one-way street either. Through the conversations with Anastasija, he was reminded of what had once occupied his own thoughts. “I studied at Mannheim University myself. Standing on the other side today almost feels like coming full circle. Talking with Anastasija reminded me of the questions I had back then. That’s why I’m happy to pass on my own experiences.”
Why Pepperl+Fuchs takes part
These reflections capture what moveMINT is all about. It is not only about career entry and professional development, but also about genuine, mutual exchange – sharing experiences, uncertainties, and future aspirations. For us, participating in the program is an opportunity to give something back while at the same time gaining fresh perspectives from the next generation of STEM talent.
The seventh round of moveMINT will begin in autumn 2026. We are delighted to once again participate as a mentoring company and would like to thank the Association of Friends and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences for organizing this valuable program.
You can read more about the sixth round and the closing ceremony on July 2 on the Association of Friends’ blog.