Service profile

MESH – Employing immigrants via networks and mentoring

Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Support Career Development by Using Networking Steps, Mentoring Programme and Mentor Coaching.

The MESH Networks and Mentoring in Support of Immigrant Employment project has supported the career development and employment of international experts by developing career mentoring, mentor coaching and networking practices. Stay tuned to this site to strengthen your own career development or support the careers of others!

Who is the MESH model for?

Networks play an important role in working life, as they can strengthen a professional career or yield new job opportunities. Networking is an ongoing process that requires varying levels of activity depending on your life situation. It is particularly relevant at the transition stages of life — for example, when moving to a new country or planning to move, when returning to work from parental leave or when re-educating.

Anyone can use the models created in the MESH project, but they were primarily created for highly educated immigrants developing their careers.

The materials are also useful for professionals working with immigrants, such as study advisors and counsellors.

Do you want to discuss more about MESH? Contact us:

Kirsi Popova

Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Senior Adviser

Communications and Societal Impact

+358469216129kirsi.popova [at] tuni.fi (kirsi[dot]popova[at]tuni[dot]fi)

Networking Steps to Accelerate Career Development

Play the video on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

Anyone can use the seven-step Networking Steps model created in the MESH project, even though it was primarily aimed at immigrants developing their careers. Each of the seven steps includes activities to develop and maintain networks. The model is easy to follow, step by step.

The steps include:

Make a priority list for your needs, using mind maps and portfolios
Set a goal for networking and a timetable for achieving it
Make a networking plan by identifying the people to network with and creating contacts with them
Contact people face to face and online
List your key connections, such as mentors, teachers and friends, and keep in regular touch with them
Follow up and maintain relationships
Never give up, even when facing troubles

Set aside few months to implement the networking step model. Your personal schedule will be determined by your goals and situation. Remember that the process is never-ending – you can return to any step at any time.

For more materials to support your journey, see the picture below and our networking guide.

Networking steps. This process is written out on the text and video above.

Plan and Implement a Networking Programme to Support Career Development

Based on the Networking Steps model, you can plan and implement a Networking Programme. During the workshop programme, participants can make a networking plan that supports their career development. They also put the plan into practice with help of facilitators.

To support the organisers of the networking programme, certain processes have been modelled. The models support the planning and implementation of the programme. Although the programme has been developed in the MESH project specifically to support networking of highly educated immigrants, the model can also be used in the preparation and implementation of a networking programme for other target groups.

Planning a Networking Programme:

When planning a networking programme, it is useful to first familiarise yourself with the Networking Steps model and modify existing materials to suit your purpose.

The programme, schedule, and resources should be carefully considered before beginning marketing. Take advantage of social media and your own networks in marketing. Begin the marketing early on.

After receiving the applications, select the participants and inform them of these details of the programme.

Planning a networking programme. The process is written out on the text above.

Workshopping

The Networking Programme consists of 5–7 workshops. The workshopping takes place in small groups with the support of the facilitator.

In the first workshop of the programme, it is good to get acquainted with the Networking Steps model together with the participants. Pay attention to proper orientation. Participants are supported in setting personal goals that support their career development.

As the programme goes on, the preparation of individual networking action plans will start with the help of facilitators, who guide the building of connections and the targeted utilisation of strong connections. They give tips on how relationships can be maintained. The most important thing is a supportive and accepting atmosphere, with joint discussions and the encouragement of positivity and persistence.

At the end of the programme, the facilitators collect feedback that will be utilised in the planning of future programmes.

Facilitating the workshops for the networking programme. The process is written out in the text above.

Career Mentoring Materials for you to Use

Mentor Coaching is meant for individuals who are preparing for becoming a mentor for example for an immigrant. You can also be someone who is already acting as a mentor but wants a little extra support and new tools.

You can support the organisation and implementation of mentoring with the MESH mentoring materials. When arranging mentor coaching, you may benefit from the process modelling below and the presentation supporting coaching arrangements.

Steps to plan Mentor Coaching

Define the organising party, the people responsible and the target group.
Set the goals for the coaching process.
Define your resources, such as the time, money and human resource available.
Design the content and the structure of the programme.
Make a marketing and communications plan for how to reach the target group. Execute the plan.
Send out instructions on the dates, programme etc. for the registered participants.

Planning a mentor coaching programme. The process is written out in the text above.

Implementing a Mentor Coaching programme

The Mentor Coaching programme consists of three meetings and a follow-up survey in between. It is worth to keep actively in contact with the participants also between the meetings, using email or other messaging tools.

The first meeting consists of introducing the programme and getting to know each other. Also the coaching materials are given to the participants during this meeting.

The second meeting offers a possibility to go deeper into mentoring and share experiences. The follow-up survey is done after this meeting to evaluate the progress of participants and make adjustments to the process if needed.

The last meeting ends the programme. During this meeting, feedback is gathered to help develop the future programmes.

Implementing a mentor coaching programme. The process is written out in the text above.