Our coaches are the heart of EDUCA SWISS. We are pleased to share a short interview with Melanie Scheiwiller, who has been actively involved as a volunteer coach with EDUCA SWISS for over seven years, helping to advance our mission.
What motivated you to become a coach at EDUCA SWISS?
«After my retirement, I felt a strong need to do something meaningful and fulfilling alongside my newfound freedom. I was looking for an activity that would challenge me without being too restrictive. With EDUCA SWISS, I found an organisation that offers exactly that. Already at my very first meeting with members of the management team, I felt I was in the right place. The description of the coaching role intrigued me, as education and further training had always been important topics throughout my career. In addition, I meet candidates with very diverse personalities, career goals, and visions for the future, which is extremely enriching. The competent EDUCA SWISS team, the Board of Trustees, and the steadily growing community of coaches also give me a strong sense of belonging to a purpose-driven organisation.»
Which candidates have the best chances of successfully realising their educational plans?
«It’s no surprise that the first impression of a candidate is often the right one. Even if the application file is not yet perfect, missing details, or misunderstandings remain, successful candidates usually show a clear motivation for their desired profession or training. Sometimes, this has to be read between the lines because candidates are unaware of what our lenders look for. Working together with the coach, this goal can be clearly defined, resulting in a coherent education plan.
The financial plan should be realistic, complete, and honest. Sometimes, candidates need the courage and flexibility to approach parents or relatives again, or take on a part-time job, so that the loan amount remains manageable. Reliability – both in communication and in keeping appointments – is, in my opinion, a fundamental prerequisite for later success.»
What do you enjoy most about being a coach at EDUCA SWISS?
«Almost every coaching conversation is enriching for me. I can meet new people who have a career goal but are unsure how to achieve it. I can help bring more transparency into their applications, question ideas, confirm plans, and motivate them. My previous coaching experience is a great asset here. Coaching is not always easy – sometimes I have to point out unrealistic expectations. If I can do this constructively in a way that genuinely helps the candidate move forward, that is also rewarding.
It’s also a great moment when the coaching process reveals that no loan is needed at all because the candidate can finance their education independently. With the help of a carefully developed budget, new opportunities often appear that the candidate had never considered before.»
Melanie studied natural sciences at ETH Zurich. After earning her doctorate, brief stints in mushroom research, and teaching at a high school, she worked in quality assurance in research and development for “Big Pharma.” She spent 26 years in leadership roles in a global, ever-changing environment. After early retirement, Melanie has dedicated herself to various causes close to her heart. As a coach at EDUCA SWISS, she can apply her wealth of experience in working with diverse individuals and give something back to society.
Here you can find an overview of all our coaches.