Mentor network

The Mentor Network is an online portal that allows you to get in touch with alumni - former students of Leiden University. Using keywords and search filters allows you to search for an alumnus who can answer your questions. You can send him or her a mentor request.

Who can use the portal and for what?
All students, recent graduates and young alumni. You can use the Mentor Network:

• for career and job application tips from Leiden alumni
• for information about specific sectors, organisations or positions
• when choosing an area of study for your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

How can I register?

• You can register via: http://www.mentornetwerk.universiteitleiden.nl/
• Activate your account and create your profile. This can be done on the basis of your LinkedIn profile if you wish.
• Using various filters within the portal you can search for a mentor (experienced alumnus) with whom you would like to make contact.
• It is your task as mentee to contact a mentor (mentors will not seek contact with you). If the mentor thinks he/she will be able to help he/she will accept your request. You can then arrange further contact, by mail, telephone, Skype or in person.

Questions about the Mentor Network?
If you have a question about the Mentor Network please contact Leiden University Career Services via careerservices@sea.leidenuniv.nl .

• Quick guide 'How to register for the Leiden University Mentor Network'
• Quick guide 'How to search for a mentor and/or send a mentoring request'
• Frequently Asked Questions

Search tips

• Always type in complete words, not parts of a word. For example, search Psychology or Astronomy instead of Psycho or Astro.
• Not every mentor added a faculty to his/her profile. We therefore recommend you not to use the filter option ‘faculty’. You can enter your study programme as a separate search item instead.
• If possible, search in both English and Dutch. Some mentors filled out their profiles in Dutch and others in English (often based on the language of their LinkedIn profiles). This might lead to different results.
• It’s possible to enter multiple keywords by separating them with a space or a comma. Please note: if you enter multiple search terms, only the results that contain all of these search terms on their profiles will be displayed.

Good networking with your mentor

• If you send a request to several mentors at once, you have a greater chance of having a request accepted. If you’d rather not do this, you can instead send mentor requests one at a time.
• Just like you, a mentor has certain networking expectations. Discuss this in advance and decide together how future contact will take place.   
• Mentors provide assistance voluntarily because they are happy to help. Make sure to always reply to messages from mentors and thank them for their time.