Empowering the Next Generation: Inside the "Protege" Mentorship Program
Stepping into university life as a fresher in Industrial and Production Engineering (IPE) can be daunting. To help students start their careers on the right track, the IEOM Society AUST Student Chapter proudly launched Protege | Mentee2Mentor—the first-ever mentorship program at AUST exclusively designed for 1st and 2nd-year IPE undergraduates.
Guided by our core motto—Learn, Adapt, Execute—Protege was built to pull out all the stops, giving our junior students a new perspective to shine in both the real and corporate worlds.
Why Protege? The Ultimate Skill-Building Journey
The program was meticulously structured to bridge the gap between academic learning and corporate expectations. We wanted the absolute best for our Proteges, offering them a comprehensive toolkit that included:
Professional Documentation: Perfecting the CV game and mastering formal email writing.
Communication & Presentation: Enhancing public speaking and presentation skills.
Corporate Readiness: Personal grooming, personal branding, and acing interviews.
Strategic Thinking: Deep-dive insights into cracking big business case competitions.
Networking: Career talks about multinational companies, connecting with successful alumni, and exploring industry trends.
Through a series of dedicated workshops, our mentees embarked on an incredible journey of growth. Here is a look back at the flagship sessions that defined the program:
Session 1: Mastering the Basics
Topic: CV & E-mail Writing Speaker: Rezaul Karim Nayeem Sir
We kicked off the mentorship journey with a highly interactive and practical session. Conducted by our beloved Rezaul Karim Nayeem Sir, this opening event provided our Proteges with valuable insights on how to craft standout resumes and communicate professionally through email—the foundational steps for any successful career.
Session 2: Making Your Mark
Topic: Personal Branding & Interview Skills Speaker: Engr. Kazi Tarana (CSSBB, CSM, SFPC, CSCA)
For our second session, we were honored to host our esteemed alumni, Engr. Kazi Tarana, currently the Manager and Project Management Head at CodersTrust Bangladesh. She shared her wealth of experience, guiding the mentees on how to build a strong personal brand and navigate challenging interviews. The interactive discussion allowed students to learn directly from her journey, adding immense value to their professional development.
The Finale: Stepping onto the Big Stage
Topic: Presentation Skills and Case Competition Insights Speaker: Sadia Turna (CSCA)
We wrapped up the Mentee2Mentor program with an energetic virtual session via Google Meet. Led by our wonderful alumni Sadia Turna—a Supply Chain and Procurement Intern at Banglalink and Former XCEED Talent Ambassador at BAT Bangladesh—the finale was nothing short of inspiring.
She shared her firsthand experiences conquering major case competitions like BoM, HULT Prize, Ptak, Over The Wall, and Bizmaestros. Beyond case-solving, she provided a realistic look into corporate work culture, the challenges of the environment, and crucial tips on balancing academics with extracurricular activities through leadership, adaptability, and time management.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated mentors, our organizing panel, and, most importantly, the enthusiastic Proteges who showed up ready to learn and grow. You truly embraced the spirit of the program.
Stay connected with the IEOM Society AUST Student Chapter across our social media platforms for more groundbreaking initiatives. Let’s keep learning, adapting, and executing!