A Program Offering Students the Chance to Work with Senior Executives: Reverse Mentoring

A 'Reverse Mentoring Session' organized by the Bahçeşehir University (BAU) CO-OP Unit was held at the 'Peryön Human Management Congress'. The details of the program, in which young university students mentor senior executives of companies, were discussed at the session.

Through the BAU CO-OP Unit's 'Reverse Mentoring' program, university students guide executives of Türkiye's well-established companies on business life. The CO-OP program, which gives young people who will have a say in tomorrow's business world the opportunity to understand the sector and shape their strategies according to the new order, was discussed at the Peryön Human Management Congress held at the Lütfi Kırdar Congress Center. The program was attended by BAU CO-OP Director Bahri Toper; Kaan Özkorkmaz, a graduate of the Department of Industrial Engineering and the top graduate of the university; İpek Altınbaşak Farina, Dean of the BAU Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences; Vedat Uygun, Member of the Executive Board of Doğuş Otomotiv; and many guests.

"A UNIT ESTABLISHED TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE BUSINESS WORLD WHILE THEY ARE STILL STUDYING"

Stating that different generations work together and constantly interact in today's business world, Bahçeşehir University CO-OP Director Bahri Toper said: "Strengthening intergenerational communication and generations understanding each other is one of the issues most emphasized by both executives and our young new recruits. 'Reverse Mentoring' is a program that bridges this generational gap and brings executives together with the generation entering the business world. As Bahçeşehir University, we launched this program to bring students together with the business world, to prepare them for business life while they are still studying, to take the potential of our young generation beyond departmental internships, and to bring them together with decision-makers."

"REVERSE MENTORING OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONAL LIFE WITH EXECUTIVES"

Stating that the Reverse Mentoring program is a tremendous source of prestige, Bahçeşehir University Department of Industrial Engineering graduate Kaan Özkorkmazsaid: "The Reverse Mentoring program gives students the opportunity to experience professional life with very valuable executives. Thanks to this program, as a young person interested in the automotive industry, I had the chance to gain experience with a name at the top of the automotive industry. Since I have been interested in the automotive industry for many years, I became the reverse mentor of Volkswagen Türkiye CEO Vedat Uygun. At this point, having a focus and pursuing it with passion is very important."

"A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO GAIN THE VIEWS AND VISION OF THE NEW GENERATION"

Stating that they were among the first examples of the Reverse Mentoring Program prepared by the Bahçeşehir University CO-OP Unit, Doğuş Otomotiv Executive Board Member Vedat Uygun said: "Mentoring is usually a master-apprentice relationship. Of course, the masters are usually older, but in the Reverse Mentoring Program the students become the masters. It is a program designed to gain the views and vision of the new generation, and it has been very beneficial. It has brought us new ideas. It is also incredibly beneficial for students, because unlike an internship, they get the chance to meet senior executives directly and exchange ideas with them."