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: Valentina & Şebnem!
Interviewee (Mentor): Valentina Luchetti (VL)
Interviewee (Mentee): Şebnem Varol (SV)
Interviewer: Athina Athanasaki (AA)
AA: Very nice to meet you. Thank you for being here. What made you decide to join the mentoring programme? Valentina, is this your first year as a mentor, or have you mentored before? And how did you first hear about the programme?
VL: It’s my first year. I’d seen EUROAVIA’s mentoring posts on Instagram and LinkedIn in the past, so when I spotted the call for mentors and mentees this time, I thought, “Why not apply and see if I can help the next generation?”
AA: Perfect. Şebnem, how did you hear about it?
SV: I found the information in the EUROAVIA‑Lounge WhatsApp group. At the start of the year I wasn’t sure whether to focus on aviation or space, or whether to work straight after graduation or start a master’s degree. I’m from Türkiye, so I was also curious about how things work in Europe. That’s why I applied.
AA: Could you give us a quick overview of your studies, what year you’re in and what you’re planning next?
SV: I’m in the fourth year of my aerospace‑engineering degree. I graduate next year and hope to start a master’s in Europe, ideally in Germany or the Netherlands.
AA: You’re very close to entering the workforce, so mentoring comes at the perfect time. Valentina, could you give us a brief summary of your own path and why you think you’re a good match for Şebnem?
VL: I studied aerospace engineering in Italy, convinced I’d end up in space. My first job, though, was an internship at Airbus in aviation. When COVID hit, my contract wasn’t renewed, which pushed me to pivot back to space. I joined the Space Generation Advisory Council and later I moved into sales and business development in the space sector. Beyond technical knowledge, my current role involves negotiating with clients, building partnerships, and attending trade shows several times a year. Personality‑wise we clicked straight away: during our first chat we discovered we’d both once considered architecture before choosing engineering!
AA: That’s a fun coincidence. How do your mentoring sessions usually run? Do you set an agenda in advance?
SV: We don’t fix topics beforehand. I update Valentina on what’s new, usually my hunt for an internship. She’s like a career coach and psychologist in one. We’ve worked on my CV, portfolio, interview prep, and, above all, networking. She introduced me to people in my fields of interest, which led to two informational interviews last month.
VL: In our first session I asked her to list three goals for the year and any big challenges, like choosing between a master’s and a job. Each session we revisit those goals. If she’s applying somewhere, we refine her CV or LinkedIn and practice interviews. Life happens between meetings, so we adjust as we go.
AA: Can you share a memorable moment that shows the progress you’ve made together?
SV: Absolutely. After our third call I reached out to a company I’d been too nervous to contact before. I used Valentina’s networking script, and they invited me to an online chat. That small success boosted my confidence enormously.
VL: For me, the highlight was reviewing Şebnem’s revised CV. She’d transformed a two‑page list into a concise, visually clear document that really markets her strengths. Seeing that change proved our sessions were paying off.
AA: We’re now well past halfway in the programme. Have your expectations changed?
SV: I’d never been a mentee before, so I had no idea what to expect. I hoped to improve not just academically but also in soft skills, and that’s happening. Talking with someone who’s from Italy but works in Germany has been eye‑opening. The programme has given me more than I imagined.
VL: I didn’t want this to feel like a formal workshop, more a friendly chat with useful advice. That’s exactly how it has turned out.
AA: Many mentor‑mentee pairs struggle to break the ice. How did you two manage to do it?
SV: Valentina sent questions beforehand, so I had answers ready. That structure made the first meeting comfortable. Since then, it has felt easy.
VL: Having a simple framework for the first call prevents awkward silences. After that, personality takes over.
AA: Valentina, from your industry perspective, do you see a gap between what university teaches and what companies expect?
VL: It depends on the role, but many soft skills come from extracurriculars like EUROAVIA. Running social‑media projects or giving congress presentations teaches interviewing, public speaking, teamwork, skills that any employer values. Technical knowledge is essential, but those extras make you stand out. That’s why I push my mentees to network and step out of their comfort zone.
AA: Excellent advice. What’s one thing you wish people knew about being a mentor or mentee?
VL: Mentoring isn’t as time‑consuming as many fear. One hour a month can make a big difference, and mentors often learn something new about the next generation’s mindset.
SV: And mentees shouldn’t be shy. It’s a friendly conversation, not an interrogation. I’ve learned to speak with professionals older than me and I feel much more confident now.
AA: Would you recommend the programme?
VL: Absolutely, especially if potential mentors realise it’s manageable and rewarding.
SV: Definitely. The benefits far outweigh any nerves, and the international perspective is invaluable.
AA: Thank you both. Any final thoughts?
VL: Just that mentoring is a two‑way street. Mentors learn too, and it’s satisfying to give back.
SV: I agree, and I’m grateful for the experience.
AA: Thank you both for the interview.