DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES THROUGH THE MENTORING PROGRAMME IN THE E.U.I.T. FORESTAL

In 2008, a Mentoring Programme was established in the E.U.I.T. Forestal in Madrid. This programme tries to “smooth” the path for new students either in academic and social university life. Three groups of people are involved in this project: First of all new students and the main objective is directed to them. Second group include mentors, students from higher courses, who share their knowledge and experience, and also enhance their management and coaching skills. And finally, some teachers who coordinate the project, and solve difficulties.
We could realize that new students had not much idea about forestry activity, and on the other hand, mentors needed new skills and attitudes in order not only to improve their activity in the programme, but in their future professional life; and the same could be said about teachers, so in next edition, in 2009, special initiatives were introduced in the project with the aim of increasing abilities in all of them. A cycle of conferences using Final Projects as a tool to show Forestry activity was prepared as we believe knowledge about it could motivate them to study.
Some workshops with a very practical base were also prepared, as we consider that just what is practiced and experienced can be integrated and learned. A coach, Elida Peñalver, helped in the process. The competences which we worked on were:
1) Verbal Communication: listening
2) Verbal Communication: Speaking in public
3) Not verbal Communication: mental attitude, confidence
4) Taking decisions options: proactive/reactive mind
5) Leadership and motivation
6) Time managment.
The evaluation and the results showed these activities were very interesting for students, not only for mentoring but for their future professional activity and personal life.