Stepping into the Working World: BayernMentoring Closing Ceremony

27 female students, 14 of whom were enrolled in STEM programs, participated in the program as mentees; they have been supported on a volunteer basis by 27 female mentors since November 2025. A new development was the strong interest shown by international female master’s students in BayernMentoring: The need to improve their German language skills—and thereby increase their opportunities, particularly in the Bavarian job market—was an important insight and a positive side effect of the mentoring program. As part of the support program, a small group was introduced to the “Shared Reading®” method—which involves reading texts aloud and discussing what has been read—and it was very well received by the participants.  

In addition to one-on-one mentoring, the students had access to various workshops and networking events. More than 50 women from the business and academic worlds participated in the workshop “Selbst.Wirksam.Sein” led by Dr. Nele Honecker and the networking event “From Stage Fright to Stage Heroine” with Maren Kristin Kern, which provided a framework for knowledge transfer and exchange among peers. 

At the closing event, the students had the opportunity to ask their mentors one last round of crucial questions during a discussion session—questions that would set them on the path to a successful start to their careers. “Armed with the insights from our mentors, we now feel well-prepared after two semesters in the BayernMentoring program to take the next steps—and dive into the working world!” summarized one participant. 

Looking for New Mentors

We are once again looking for mentors from companies in the region for the upcoming winter semester. If you’re interested in supporting female students and sharing your knowledge, please contact Magdalena Fremdling. 

BayernMentoring at HNU

We empower women—we build networks for the future. The “BayernMentoring” program puts into practice the key priorities of HNU’s Officer for Gender Equality in Science and the Arts, Prof. Dr. Anna Meinhardt. The program increases the visibility of female students in companies throughout the region, connects them with female experts, and empowers them to take ownership of their own professional development. Through their interactions with mentors and by following their example, they learn that women can be part of any setting where ideas are developed, discussed, and decisions are made.