Reverse Mentoring

In a reversal of traditional roles, this innovative partnership allows students to become trainers in companies. By sharing their technical expertise, students enhance employees’ skills while gaining valuable professional experience themselves. This unique intergenerational exchange and mutually beneficial collaboration has established lasting connections between the academic institution and the business world—accelerating innovation and adaptability for both sides.

Call to Action

The Reverse Mentoring program was born of a desire to further professionalize students through direct exposure to the workplace. By creating opportunities for students to apply their skills in real-world professional environments, the Rennes School of Business bridges the gap between theory and practice. Additionally, these experiences are crucial to showcasing the value that younger generations can bring to the workplace, particularly in terms of new technologies and innovation.

This program also seeks to establish strong and lasting partnerships with companies. The school creates a virtuous cycle in which students, while contributing to the upskilling of employees, enrich their own professional experiences. This initiative reflects the school’s commitment to not only academically educate students but also to shape them into competent and impactful players in the workforce of tomorrow.

Innovation Description

The innovative program was inspired by and modeled after a one-time initiative to professionalize students while providing value to partner companies. Through a Microsoft certification, students had the opportunity to directly train employees in partner companies on specific technical skills. For a brief period, the school implemented this unique partnership to create an immersive professional experience for the students while addressing the immediate training needs of companies.

The primary objective was to foster intergenerational exchange and demonstrate the ability of young talent to deliver concrete technical expertise. This process strengthened the collaboration between the academic institution and the business world and created a rich learning experience for both parties.

Innovation Impact

The impact of this program has been significant for both students and partner companies. The employees’ reception was positive, and they showed a genuine willingness to improve their skills and engage in the training provided by the students. This experience allowed employees to discover new tools and methods while receiving training tailored to their specific needs.

For the students, this initiative provided a unique opportunity to apply their knowledge in a professional setting, helping them develop teaching skills and enhance their employability. Emphasizing the relevance and quality of the training delivered, feedback from companies highlighted the effectiveness of the program.

The one-time initiative demonstrated the value that young talent can bring to companies, paving the way for potential future collaborations. The program created a mutually beneficial exchange, fostering shared learning and strengthening the ties between the academic world and the professional sector.