Each year, the EUROAVIA Mentoring Programme builds a bridge between today’s students and yesterday’s members, now professionals in the aerospace and engineering sectors. By connecting current EUROAVIAns with alumni mentors, the programme offers a space to explore future career paths, exchange perspectives on life after university, and build confidence in navigating the job market.
Through regular online meetings, mentees benefit from their mentors’ insights, experience, and guidance. These conversations cover everything from CV tips and job interviews to long-term career strategy and personal growth. More than advice, mentors offer a glimpse into the realities of working in the aeronautics, space, and broader engineering industries.
Let’s take a closer look at this year’s mentor–mentee pair: Neus & Antonio, who shared with us their journey.
Interviewee (Mentor): Antonio Gonzalez Gomez (AGG)
Interviewee (Mentee): Neus Erlenkämper (NE)
Interviewer: Athina Athanasaki (AA)
AA: Thank you for being here. Could you start by telling me a little bit about yourself?
NE: Sure, I can start. My name is Neus Erlenkämper, I’m 21 years old and I’m part of EUROAVIA. I’ve been coordinator of the Business Relations Working Group for almost two years, and this is my first participation in the Mentoring Program. I recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Vehicle Engineering in Barcelona and I’m planning to start my master’s, hopefully in Germany. I’ll also continue my involvement in EUROAVIA. That pretty much sums me up.
AA: Great. What about you, Antonio?
AGG: My name is Antonio Gonzalez Gomez. This is my third year participating as a mentor in the EUROAVIA Mentoring Program. It has been such a rewarding experience that I also joined mentoring programs at a couple of universities. It gave me the chance to compare, and honestly, they’re all very good. I’m an environmental engineer and I’ve been working at the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for 19 years, currently in Safety Promotion. Through my role, I’ve been in contact with EUROAVIA for the last four or five years, collaborating on different activities.
I was also part of EUROAVIA myself back in 1996 when I was a student in the UK. Even though I wasn’t studying Aerospace Engineering, I joined the branch at my university. So it’s always nice to reconnect with those memories through the eyes of today’s students.
AA: That’s wonderful. You mentioned you also joined other mentoring programs. Was EUROAVIA the first structured one you joined, or had you already been a mentor before?
AGG: EUROAVIA was the first structured program I joined. Before that, I had mentored informally, almost by accident. At EASA we have a graduate program where young graduates work with us for a year. I had two graduates working with me in consecutive years. Officially I was their tutor, guiding them on the work, but it naturally turned into mentoring as well. When working closely with young people, they ask questions, they share their doubts, and you form a connection. You end up explaining things not just from a technical perspective, but also from a personal one. So that professional relationship turns into something more like a buddy system.
That was my first experience. Later I learned about EUROAVIA’s program and decided to join. I was unsure at first since it looked very structured, with reports to submit and a clear framework. I wondered if I had to follow a script or improvise. But very quickly, just like with Neus now, I realized that the important thing is the personal connection. Once that happens, the structure supports the process rather than limiting it.
AA: That’s very good to hear. Neus, what motivated you to join the program?
NE: Honestly, one of the main reasons was a colleague from the Business Relations group. He participated last year and told me he had a great experience, and I realized how valuable it could be to have that kind of guidance. When I signed up, I actually pointed to Antonio as my preferred mentor. I already knew a bit about him and thought his experience would be very relevant. It coincided with writing my thesis: I knew I would need advice not only academically, but also personally and professionally, since the thesis period is such an intense time. So the program seemed like the perfect support.
AA: That makes a lot of sense. Could you describe the format of your mentoring sessions? Do you plan topics in advance, or is it more casual?
AGG: It’s very casual. Neus has to deal with my changing schedule, but she’s been very flexible. That flexibility is important in building trust. If someone is rigid, it can easily create frustration, but we’ve managed it smoothly. We don’t follow a fixed program. Neus usually brings the topics she wants to discuss. My role is mostly to listen and provide perspective. She already has convictions about what she wants, but sometimes she just needs reinforcement or another angle to feel confident in her decision.
Mentoring isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, reflecting, and being sincere. If something seems risky, I’ll say so in a constructive way. What really matters is the trust. Once the mentee feels comfortable sharing not only academic or professional doubts but also personal ones, that’s when the mentoring relationship really works.
I also learn a lot. I have two kids, and talking to Neus often gives me insights that I’ll be able to share with them in the future. In that sense, it’s a two-way exchange.
NE: I completely agree. What I value most is that Antonio understands the context I’m in. My parents, for example, never went to university. They support me, but they don’t fully understand the academic challenges I face, like why a master’s degree might take longer than expected if I include work experience. Having Antonio, who shares a similar academic and professional background, makes a huge difference. I can talk to him about these things, and he understands immediately. That’s something I can’t always get from my family, and it’s incredibly valuable.
AA: That’s really nice. Many mentees say the first meetings can be difficult because it takes time to build trust. Do you have any advice for overcoming that initial barrier?
AGG: I know that happens, though I personally find it hard to imagine because I usually connect quickly. One way to help is for the mentor to take the initiative and ask questions to break the ice. People generally want to communicate, so if the mentor creates a comfortable atmosphere, the mentee will gradually open up. Sometimes mentees treat the program like an exam, preparing questions and trying to impress. But mentoring is not about testing, it’s about conversation. If the mentor makes it clear that everything can be discussed openly, that helps a lot. With Neus, it was very straightforward. We started talking about her thesis right away, which gave us a solid focus. Having a concrete project to discuss is a great way to build trust quickly.
NE: I’d add that it helps to really pay attention during the very first introductory meeting when all mentors and mentees are presented. Even in a big group, you can already sense what kind of person your mentor is. Are they more serious, more relaxed, more formal, more approachable? If you observe carefully, you’ll be better prepared for your first one-on-one conversation.
AGG: Absolutely. Mentors are there because they want to help. They give their time voluntarily, and that commitment should reassure mentees. It may feel intimidating at first, especially if the mentor looks older or speaks very formally, but the reality is that they are there to support you fully.
AA: That’s very good advice. Neus, earlier you mentioned what you expected when you joined. Did your expectations change over time as you worked with Antonio?
NE: Yes, they evolved. Whenever I asked Antonio for something, he responded immediately and effectively. For example, I needed to contact pilots for my thesis, which was difficult with my limited network. Antonio put me in touch with two pilots who ended up being the most helpful sources of information for my work. Later on, when I needed guidance on confidentiality clauses or how to structure my interviews, he was also right there to help. Beyond that, he would send me interesting articles or job opportunities, even though I never explicitly asked for them. He noticed my interests during our conversations and shared things he thought I would find useful. That was incredibly thoughtful and helpful.
AA: Would you recommend mentoring to students early in their studies, or mainly to those finishing their degrees?
NE: I think it’s beneficial at any stage. In the early years, a mentor can help you discover opportunities you might not even know exist. Later on, as you prepare to graduate, the mentor can support you in transitioning into professional life. And mentoring doesn’t just end when the program ends. I know I’ll be able to reach out to Antonio in the future if I need advice.
AGG: I agree. Some universities hesitate to offer mentoring to first-year students because they think it might overwhelm them. But in my view, mentoring is valuable at any point. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, helps you develop soft skills like communication and critical thinking, and gives you real-life experience you can’t learn from books. There are no stupid questions, and there’s no shame in asking for guidance. The impact might be different depending on whether you’re in your first or last year, but in both cases it’s extremely valuable. And in many cases, as Neus said, it creates lifelong professional and personal connections.
AA: Thank you both so much. That covers all my questions. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
AGG: Just one thought. Sometimes people ask me if mentoring men and women is different. I don’t see any real difference. In my experience, women tend to be slightly more open to the mentoring process from the beginning, while men sometimes need more convincing. But once the relationship is established, the experience is equally rewarding regardless.
AA: Thank you. It was very nice talking with both of you.