WHO IS A MENTEE?
A mentee is an individual who receives advice, assistance and feedback from a more experienced person over a set period of time, resulting in the enhancement of the mentee’s educational studies or professional experience. The mentee must have clear goals and be willing to accept guidance and advice in order for the relationship to be successful. A mentee is open to constructive feedback and has a desire to learn and develop new skills to progress in their graduate education.
EXPECTATIONS OF MENTEES
- Mentoring requires clear boundaries between the mentor and mentee which you should be involved in agreeing.
- You will be encouraged to identify goals, challenges and set priorities.
- You will be expected to drive the relationship take increasing responsibility for your own self-reflection and development.
- A commitment to the importance of the mentoring relationship and a willingness to treat it as a priority
- A minimum investment of 1 meeting (phone call, in-person meeting, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc.) per week for three months.
- A commitment to regular communications and interactions, agreed upon in advance
- Maintaining confidentiality and terms outlined in the mentorship agreement
- Willingness to participate in any evaluations of the mentorship program
- A commitment to positivity and encouragement throughout the mentorship process
- An understanding that the mentorship relationship is not a tutoring service
- Engagement with your mentor on an ongoing basis is crucial for the success of the program. Walking away without any regard for the longer-term relationship is to be avoided.
- Will contact the Community Groundwork leadership team if the match is not appropriate or if the mentee is unable to reach the mentor
The mentee will:
- Initiate meetings and arrive for the first meeting with personal aims and goals for the mentoring relationship
- Develop a mentoring plan and goals
- Negotiate the specifics of the mentoring plan with the mentor
- Communicating one’s goals clearly
- Actively seek advice from the mentor
- Honestly disclose frustrations, concerns and successes
- Honor one’s commitments to the mentoring program
- Actively listen and learn
- Be open to advice and suggestions
First Meeting Sample Questions
Career
- What have you done to develop your career?
- Who or what had the most significant impact on your choosing this career?
- What are the thoughts you find personally rewarding in your career?
- What does a day in the life of you look like?
Networking
- Who helped you to get into this field through networking or otherwise?
- What professional associations or organizations do you suggest?
- Do you have any networking tips and tricks?
Organizational Culture
- What are the things you find frustrating or disappointing in this field and how do you manage them?
- How do you balance home and work commitments?
- What's the most effective daily habit you possess?
- How do you handle stress?