Study practices are a fundamental element of the university journey, providing students with a concrete opportunity to apply acquired knowledge and develop key skills for the job market. However, to maximize the value of this experience, proper guidance is essential to support students, academic institutions, and hosting organisations.
The project MILEAGE– Mentorship Development for quality practices in Higher Education specifically targets NGOs (associations, foundations, etc.), which are often overlooked by students as potential study practice sites in favour of private companies or more traditional public entities. This tendency may stem from a lack of awareness about the opportunities offered by the sector or the perception that study practices in NGOs do not hold the same value in the job market. However, NGOs provide highly formative environments where students can develop essential transferable skills, such as teamwork, social project management, and the ability to respond creatively and flexibly to complex challenges.
To facilitate the organization, management, and evaluation of study practices in NGOs, the MILEAGE project has developed 3 toolkits aimed at key stakeholders in the process: career counsellors, university coordinators, and mentors within host organizations. These professionals will be responsible for piloting the MILEAGE model in the project’s partner countries.
In Italy, this initiative will involve students from the University of Palermo (UNIPA) and will be coordinated in collaboration with CESIE ETS. 20 students will have the opportunity to engage in a high-quality learning experience featuring an innovative monitoring and mentoring system shared between the university and host organizations. The uniqueness of this experience lies not only in the activities carried out by the students but, most importantly, in the structured support and guidance pathway that accompanies them from the beginning to the end of the study practice.
Career counsellors: essential support for students’ choices
University career counsellors play a fundamental role in guiding students toward the most suitable study practice opportunities for their academic and professional development. Their advice can make a significant difference in directing young people toward meaningful experiences aligned with their aspirations. Thedigital Toolkit for career counsellors provides innovative methodologies for conducting personalized career counselling sessions, tools to facilitate the search for study practice opportunities in NGOs, and materials to support the assessment of acquired skills. With these resources, career counsellors can create more effective support pathways, helping students identify the best opportunities for their ambitions and preparing them for the job market.
The crucial role of university study practice coordinators
Study practice coordinators are responsible for managing and monitoring study practices, ensuring that these experiences are educational and aligned with students’ academic goals. To support them in this role, the digital Toolkit for study practice coordinators offers practical tools for study practice planning and evaluation, templates for agreements, and methodologies for tracking student progress. Thanks to these resources, university coordinators can ensure that study practices are not just an academic requirement but a professional growth opportunity, while also guaranteeing the quality and effectiveness of the training process.
NGO mentors: guiding and inspiring students
NGO mentors within host organizations play a key role in supporting students throughout their study practices, providing concrete guidance and helping them develop both practical and soft skills related to a professional role. Their training is essential to ensure an effective learning environment. The digital Toolkit for mentors provides guidelines on improving mentoring skills, tools to facilitate the onboarding process, and strategies for offering constructive feedback to students. With these resources, mentors can fulfil their role more effectively, creating a dynamic learning environment and easing students’ transition into the workforce.
Through specialized training sessions for these key professional figures, the MILEAGE project aims to implement an innovative study practice model that integrates strong career guidance support with a structured management approach. The pilot implementation of this model will be anticipated by training sessions for university career counsellors, university study practice coordinators, and NGO mentors to ensure they can effectively apply the developed tools and methodologies.
In Italy, this training will be managed by CESIE ETS and UNIPA, with the goal of strengthening the skills of all stakeholders involved and improving the overall quality of study practice experiences.
Are you a UNIPA student interested in a study practice in the NGO sector?
Contact Alessia Valenti: alessia.valenti@cesie.org.
About the project
MILEAGE – Mentorship development for quality practices in higher education is a project funded by Erasmus+ – KA220-HED – Cooperation partnerships in higher education.
Partners
- UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI (Slovenia, coordinator)
- KULTURNO IZOBRAZEVALNO DRUSTVO PINA (Slovenia)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PALERMO (Italy)
- RAUHANKASVATUSINSTITUUTTI RY INSTITUTET FOR FREDSFOSTRAN RF (Finland)
- OULUN YLIOPISTO (Finland)
For further information
Read more about the project.
Contact Alessia Valenti: alessia.valenti@cesie.org.
