What happens when a senior leader and a student meet as equals to discuss leadership, career choices and the future of work? That is the idea behind Brilliant Mentors of the Future, a reverse mentorship programme that creates meaningful connections between students and experienced professionals.
As this year’s programme comes to a close, participants highlight the value of stepping outside their usual perspectives, building new relationships and learning from each other’s experiences.
A programme that benefits both mentor and mentee
Unlike traditional mentorship programmes, Brilliant Mentors of the Future is built on mutual exchange. Students gain insights into leadership and working life, while professionals are challenged by new perspectives from a younger generation.
For Erik Åqvist, Head of Economic Development at City of Linköping, that dynamic is one of the programme’s greatest strengths.
There is great value for both the mentor and the mentee. Students gain insights into different professional roles at a senior level and can better navigate their future career choices. At the same time, professionals are challenged by ambitious young people and their perspectives on the world, something you simply don’t encounter in your everyday professional bubble.
He believes the programme creates a unique opportunity for boosting both career and personal growth.
The programme creates connections between students and potential future employers. Through the meetings, students gain a deeper understanding of organisations they may not have considered before.
As an employer, we want students to gain insight into how our organisation works. Through these relationships, they can discover career opportunities and become ambassadors for workplaces they otherwise might never have explored.
Conversations that matter
One of this year’s mentor-mentee pairs was Sofie Moosberg, Chief Financial Officer at the City of Linköping, and David Karabas, a student from the Business and Economics programme at Linköping University.
Over the course of the mentorship, they met regularly in different settings, from City Hall to informal lunches in town.
We prepared questions and discussion topics before many of our meetings. We talked a lot about future leadership, expectations of managers, remote work, career development and what younger generations look for in a workplace.
For Sofie, the conversations provided valuable insights into how the younger generation think about work and leadership.
I’m a relatively new manager, so for me it has been incredibly useful. I’ve learned a lot about how to attract and retain young talent, and how their expectations can differ from those of more experienced employees.
The meetings also developed into something more than professional discussions.
We talked about life outside of work as well. It has been wonderful to follow David’s journey and see him take important steps for his career.
One particularly memorable moment came when David received a phone call during one of their meetings offering him a job.
Being there when he got that call and seeing his excitement was fantastic. It was a privilege to follow that part of his journey.
Building relationships and sharing perspectives
For David, the programme offered a unique opportunity to gain insights from an experienced leader while also contributing with his own views and experiences.
We shared our thoughts on what makes a good leader, how young people see working life today and what expectations we have for the future. It felt like a genuine exchange where both of us contributed with valuable perspectives.
That mutual learning is what makes the programme stand out, he says.
I feel that I have gained a lot from the experience, but I also believe I have been able to contribute with interesting thoughts and insights. Most of all, I’m grateful for the relationship we’ve built.
Sofie Moosberg – mentee and David Karabas – mentor.
A programme worth recommending
As another year of Brilliant Mentors of the Future comes to an end, the message from participants is clear: the programme creates meaningful connections, broadens perspectives and provides valuable insights for everyone involved.
Whether you are a student or a leader interested in understanding the next generation, the programme offers a unique opportunity to learn, grow and build relationships that last long after the formal meetings have ended.
Anna Broeders – Talent & Community manager at Linköping Science Park, Emma Lindh – Project leader Brilliant Mentors of the Future, Erik Åqvist – Head of Economic Development at City of Linköping
How does the program work?
Brilliant Mentors of the Future pairs individuals in leadership positions within companies with students, creating a platform for intercultural connections between universities and the corporate world. Unlike traditional mentorship, this program encourages mutual growth by allowing students to mentor company professionals.
Apply for Brilliant Mentors of the Future here!
