On 29 October, the Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade hosted the launch of the 6th edition of the Técnico Alumni Mentoring Program. The session included a welcome cocktail, promoting an informal space for exchanging experiences, where mentors and mentees could get to know each other. The meeting brought together around 100 students and alumni.
The Vice-President of Técnico for Corporate Interface, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Pedro Amaral, emphasised the alumni’s positive impact on the training of future generations of engineers, and highlighted the diversity of experiences that each mentor brings. ‘It’s a pleasure to invite our alumni to help our students embark on their careers,’ he said, recognising the importance of new perspectives and unexpected knowledge for students.
Alice Valente, a Mechanical Engineering student and participant in the previous edition, shared her experience, stressing how much her mentor contributed to her professional development. ‘It turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve had,’ she commented. With her mentor’s support, she improved his CV and LinkedIn profile, faced her fears and had the opportunity to get to know the work environment at the headquarters of the company where she works.
According to Nuno Tiago Pereira, an Electrical and Computer Engineering alumnus and mentor since 2021, the experience has also been enriching. ‘I really enjoyed coming back to Técnico for this program; it’s what I like most’, he confessed, stressing the importance of staying connected to the Técnico community. Nuno Sobrinho, a Civil Engineering mentor, emphasised how this role allows him to help students overcome initial fears. ‘There are questions that seem simple to us, but for them are valuable. It’s great to be able to help’, he said, recalling how the most basic advice can often make all the difference.
Among the students, Afonso Barroco saw the programme as an opportunity for self-knowledge. ‘I want to understand my weaknesses and defects and how they can be improved before I enter the job market’, he said, showing a willingness to work proactively on his personal development and prepare himself for a smoother transition into professional life.
