The Impact of Alumni Mentoring Process on Students (Mentees) and Alumni (Mentors) in Maritime Education: A Case Study of Türkiye

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 2, 233 - 245, 07.08.2025

Barış Kuleyin , Bayram Bilge Sağlam , Egemen Ertürk , Volkan Çetinkaya , Nergis Özispa , Onur Akdaş , Giray Yiğit Kolcubaşı

https://doi.org/10.53478/yuksekogretim.1438941

Abstract

Mentoring, defined as a relationship established between experienced and less experienced individuals to support personal and professional development, is implemented by companies as part of orientation and socialization programs and by universities to facilitate students’ adaptation to professional life. In maritime higher education institutions, which train personnel for the uniquely structured maritime industry, alumni mentoring programs hold undeniable significance. Within this scope, an alumni mentoring program was developed for students in the Department of Maritime Business Administration and the Department of Logistics Management at Dokuz Eylul University, Maritime Faculty. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of the alumni mentoring process on both students (mentees) and graduates (mentors). Using survey tools adapted from Dollinger et al. (2019) with permission, data were collected through a mixed-methods approach, including web-based questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The program initially included 80 participants; however, the study was completed with data from 62 participants (28 mentors and 34 mentees) who met the minimum participation requirements by engaging in at least two meetings per month and submitting feedback via the Mentornity platform. Data were analyzed using Excel and MAXQDA software. The findings indicate that the program positively influenced mentees’ perceptions of the university experience and enhanced mentors’ sense of institutional affiliation. Overall, the program contributed positively to institutional belonging for both mentors and mentees and encouraged future participation.

Keywords

Alumni Mentoring, Mentor, Mentorship in Mairitime Education, Student Mentorship.

Denizcilik Eğitiminde Mezun Mentorluğu Sürecinin Öğrenciler (Mentiler) ve Mezunlar (Mentorlar) Üzerindeki Etkisi: Türkiye Örneği

Abstract

Mentörlük, deneyimli bireylerin daha az deneyimli kişilere rehberlik ettiği bir süreçtir ve firmalar ile üniversiteler tarafından farklı amaçlarla kullanılmaktadır. Denizcilik gibi kendine özgü yapısı olan sektörlerde, yükseköğretim kurumlarında uygulanan mezun mentörlüğü programları ayrı bir önem taşımaktadır. Bu kapsamda, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Denizcilik Fakültesi’nde, Denizcilik İşletmeleri Yönetimi ve Lojistik Yönetimi Bölümü öğrencilerine yönelik bir mezun mentörlüğü programı geliştirilmiştir. Çalışmanın amacı, bu programın öğrenci (menti) ve mezun (mentör) üzerindeki etkilerini analiz etmektir. Dollinger ve diğerlerinin (2019) anketlerinden uyarlanan veri toplama araçları kullanılarak, web tabanlı anketler ve yüz yüze görüşmelerle katılımcıların mentörlük algıları değerlendirilmiştir. Programa başlangıçta 80 kişi katılmış, ancak gerekli şartları sağlayan 62 kişinin (28 mentör, 34 menti) verileri analiz edilmiştir. Excel ve MAXQDA ile yapılan analizler sonucunda, mezun mentörlüğü programının öğrencilerin üniversiteye dair olumlu algı geliştirmelerinde etkili olduğu ve mentörlerin üniversite aidiyetini artırdığı tespit edilmiştir. Genel olarak, her iki taraf da programdan fayda sağlamış ve gelecekteki benzer programlara katılım konusunda istekli olduklarını belirtmiştir.

Keywords

Denizcilik Eğitiminde Mentörlük, Öğrenci Mentörlüğü, Mentör, Mezun Mentörlüğü.

Supporting Institution

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinasyon Birimi, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Kariyer Planlama ve Mezunlarla İlişkiler Koordinatörlüğü, Denizcilik Fakültesi Mezunlar Derneği (DEFMED)

Thanks

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinasyon Birimi, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Kariyer Planlama ve Mezunlarla İlişkiler Koordinatörlüğü ve Denizcilik Fakültesi Mezunlar Derneği'ne yürütülen projeye verdikleri desteklerden dolayı teşekkür ederiz.

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