What is Corporate Social Responsibility? - InnoTrain CSR

Experience report from "Jelena"
"I came to Austria from Serbia about two and a half years ago. My main goal after
arriving in Austria was trying to master the German language as best as possible to
help me find adequate work. To achieve the first goal, I registered for an intensive
language course which I completed successfully. I was subsequently able to find
work as a waitress. However, I knew that the future prospects in this field were not
the greatest. I already intended to change my job a year ago, without success. At the
job market service, I came across the brochure "Mentoring for migrants" and applied
for the programme. Together with my mentor, we first identified our or my goals. My
main problem has always been finding the right industry or field to work in. However,
after our meetings, the future path was very clear. I found new employment within
just one month: in it, I am able to use all my language skills - especially English.
Accordingly, I have reached my goal. Our mentoring hours were flexible. The
programme helped me become more self-confident and courageous to find new
paths and to prove myself."
Experience report from "Svetlana"
"The programme "Mentoring for migrants" reached me at the perfect time to obtain
insight into the Austrian labour culture and to find appropriate work. It was a very new
experience for me, because the Austrian labour market is both exciting and
challenging. I was lacking insider tips and the possibility to exchange experiences to
understand this completely new world and to overcome the stumbling blocks along
the way. I was eagerly awaiting the night of the kick-off event, because I did not know
what to expect; I was "simply curious”. My mentor welcomed me with warm
openness. We both knew instantly: the chemistry is right. What is key in a mentormentee
relationship: the human factor is in the foreground and opens the door for
joint discoveries, giving and taking and for personal further development. Angela is a
master in being a genuine mentor: with her heart, soul and mind, energy and power,
constructive feedback, realistic expectations, a smile, an open ear and honest
interest in me as a human being. She always found an answer to my questions and
supported my development in a very natural way. We are still in touch - be it by email,
by phone or in person, and our meeting has evolved into friendship. A major
change often needs small, consistent steps and the power to maintain a positive and
constructive attitude throughout the entire time. A possible "formula for success" for a
mentee is to simply play a proactive role and to consciously leave behind the known
"dramatic situation", namely not being able to find a proper job."
Hand the experience reports to your participants and ask them to select a mentee of
their choice. The participants are then asked to play the role of a mentor and to make
up a brief experience export during the next 30 minutes and write it down on paper.
In doing so, they are describing how the mentoring programme with "Jelena" or
"Svetlana" proceeded in their point of view.
The project "InnoTrain CSR" is organized by GILDE GmbH and has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 12/2010
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InnoTrain CSR
www.csr-training.eu