The graduate association ASS – Alumni Sport Media/Sport Management of the German Sport University Cologne offers once a year the mentoring program “DOUBLE-(P)ASS”. The aim of the program is to prepare students of the Bachelor’s degree program in Sport Management and Sport Communication for their career entry in the various occupational fields of the program. DOUBLE (P)ASS refers to a 1:1 ratio of mentor (graduate with professional experience) and mentee (student) who pass the ball to each other with the aim of facilitating the mentee’s career entry. In this way the mentees can benefit from the experience and the network of the mentor on their personal path into their profession.
Matching
Interested students of the B.A. Sport Management and Sport Communication (SMK) at the German Sport University Cologne can apply for the DOUBLE (P)ASS program. A suitable mentor will be selected on the basis of the application and according to individual wishes and needs. The mentors are specialists and managers with several years of professional experience and have a special interest in passing on their experience and actively accompanying students on their way into their careers and maintaining a close exchange with them.
Duration: about 6-8 months
Benefits for students (mentees)
- Students receive intensive insights into selected fields of activity and can discover new occupational fields for themselves with the help of “insiders”.
- They gain insights into the mentors’ experiences and can work with them to develop career and curriculum perspectives.
- Students can benefit from the contacts and networks of the mentors and expand their own personal network.
Benefits für alumni (mentors)
- Alumni can give something back to their alma mater.
- Alumni can support current students.
- Alumni reflect on their own careers.
- Alumni learn what makes the younger generation tick as future employees.
Mentor’s opinions
“I believe that once you have “made it” in the industry from a student’s point of view, you have a duty at some point to get involved as a mentor – especially in the Spoho environment. When you talk about your time at Spoho, it’s the fellow students who make the years so special. And this personal network should then be shared and expanded.” (Siemen Schmidt, 2023)
“Before we met for the first time, I was a little worried that my mentee was still very green behind the ears or had no idea whatsoever. But my mentee was really fit right from the start, had structure and concrete questions. She always had ideas and was never in a “consumer attitude”. I found that very positive.” (Felix Kaiser, 2019)
“It gives mentee and mentor a super platform to exchange and get ideas. It can lead to many exciting projects and career paths! And as a mentor, you also reflect on yourself and think about why you made which decision. A super programme!” (Dennis Spiegel, 2023)
“A mentoring engagement is very helpful for “junior staff.” Without vitamin B, unfortunately, not much is possible in the industry. The people who have already “arrived” can help to find a job or at least establish the right contact and yet it is still difficult. But the chance to enter the field with contact is simply much higher.” (Lina von Heintschel, 2019)
Mentees’ opinions
“It was a wonderful programme with great opportunities. For Siemen and me, the connection has led to us continuing some kind of mentoring beyond the alumni programme. Thank you for bringing us together.” (Jordi Bartels, 2023)
“I would recommend the program at any time because it offers the opportunity to make a contact that can give an exclusive insight into the field of work or the industry you can imagine working in. In addition to the information about the work area, you also get the opportunity to benefit from the mentor’s wealth of experience. When it comes to important decisions about your future, you can get advice from your mentor.” (Kristin Veegers, 2019)
“First of all, the opportunity to participate in this program is an enrichment for me. The contact to a person who has a similar academic past has helped me a lot in the last months”. (Frederik Becker, 2019)
“The mentoring program helped me a lot, especially in terms of my future career. We discussed and evaluated the various options in bilateral talks. Our relationship was very flexible and I also received support for spontaneous enquiries.” (Maria Schmidt, 2017)
Engagement/Application
Previous mentors
2022
Jens Behler – Deutsche Sport Marketing
Marcel Cordes – Sportheads
Takeo Heinen – IT Consulting and Training
Markus Lewin Bernal – Hertha BSC Berlin
Siemen Schmidt – PWC
Sven Schröllkamp – Ryzon
Dennis Spiegel – L’Oréal
Simon Stöcker – 1. FC Köln
Martin Ulber – Puma
2021
Tim Birnbrich – GIZ
Oskar Deecke – Fortuna Düsseldorf
Julius Herlt – Ottobock
Robby Hunke – ARD Sportschau
Felix Kaiser – Deutsche Welle
Christian Koke – Fortuna Düsseldorf
Denis Möllers – Ryzon
Mario Oelke – Derbystar
Julius Ohnesorge – VfL Osnabrück
Tim Oidtmann – Frapport
Kaj Owen – Infront
Bastian Pätzold – SPORTFIVE
2020
Hauke Böckmann – 1. FC Köln
Philip Burghaus – Deichmann
Heidi Dahlhaus – Adidas
Sebastian Dietze – MMP Event GmbH
Rainer Fischer – REWE Group
Marco Krückemeier – go3
Tim Steffens – SPORTFIVE
Dennis Schröder – 11Teamsports
2019
Matthias Doherr – Lagardère Sports Germany
Andreas Fischer – FC Schalke 04 e.V.
Alexander Reimann – Infront Germany (1 FC. Köln)
Eva Werthmann – Deutsche Triathlon Union
2018
Moritz Breuer – Volkswagen
Marcel Couturier – Asics
Lina Heintschel von Heinegg – TUSEM Sport und Marketing
Frederik Höderath – Mammut
Felix Kaiser – easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga
Christine Kowalski – Kinderhilfswerk Plan International
Mareen Lißner – Peak Performance
Stefan Marx – Runnerspoint
Tim Noller – DFB
Robert Wiegand – REWE
2017
Brendan Birch – Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V.
Diego Checa – Lagardère Sports
Christian Kaes Fürth – BMW
Frederik Latz – 1. FC Köln
Dr. Karen Petry – DSHS Köln
Marcus Pieker – Jack Wolfskin
2016
Ellen Bertke – Fußball-Verband Mittelrhein e.V.
Lars Birnbaum – UVEX
Carlsson Howe – Nike
Christiane Krauter – DSM
Eva Werthmann – IPC
2015
Christoph Adelmann – Outdoor Bootcamp
Diego Checa – Lagardère Sports
Marcel Couturier – Adidas
Dr. Gerhard Nowak – Sportline
Tim Oidtmann – Fraport
Christoph Schulze Düllo – B2RUN
Timo Wilke – 4attention
2014
Kajo Fritz – Stern TV
Catrin Müller – DFB
2013
Steffen Ehmer – 4attention
Simon Fink – DO IT!
Jeannine Hagedorn – Rheinsport
Alex Kraemer – Heim-Spiele
Jan Kremer – Deloitte
Nikolaus Rickers – Point of Sailing
Dennis Schröder – Puma
Cornelius Wien – actori