Notes from mentoring training sessions to teach students what to expect from a mentor, how to conduct themselves in a mentoring relationship, and how to use the Mentoring Network database.
2. Training Session Agenda
What a career mentor is
What a career mentor isn’t
Do I need a mentor?
Working with a mentor
The importance of gratitude
How to use the Mentoring
Network database
10. What a career mentor ISN’T
Parent
Spouse
Best Friend
11. What a career mentor ISN’T
Parent
Spouse
BestFriend
Personal Assistant
12. What a career mentor ISN’T
Parent
Spouse
BestFriend
Personal Assistant
Cheerleader
13. What a career mentor ISN’T
Parent
Spouse
BestFriend
Personal Assistant
Cheerleader
Job Bank
14. Do I need a mentor?
YES:
if you want to know more
about a specific job, sector, or
profession.
15. Do I need a mentor?
YES: if you want to know more
about a specific job, sector, or
profession.
YES: if you are considering graduate
school and have questions about
preparing.
16. Do I need a mentor?
YES: if you want to know more
about a specific job, sector, or
profession.
YES: if you are considering graduate
school and have questions about
preparing.
NO: if you don’t know what you
want from a mentor.
18. How to work with a mentor
Do your homework
Define expectations
19. A sample message
Mr. Alumnus,
My name is Jane Smith and I am a junior biology major at
Wofford. I read your mentor profile and think your background
and experience could be very helpful to me. I am interested in
becoming a veterinarian, and I have some questions about
graduate school that I hope you could help me with.
Specifically, I’d like to know ______, ________, and _________.
I’m going to be visiting _____ University in two weeks and wonder if
we could set up a time to talk about my questions before I go?
Or, if it’s easier for you to answer via email, that’s great, too.
If you’re able to offer me some advice, I’d really appreciate it.
Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to hearing
from you soon.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith
20. How to work with a mentor
Do your homework
Define expectations
Communicate
21. How to work with a mentor
Do your homework
Define expectations
Communicate
Be honest
22. How to work with a mentor
Do your homework
Define expectations
Communicate
Be honest
Be reliable
24. The importance of gratitude
Thank, thank, and thank some more
Email, note, phone, in person.
25. The importance of gratitude
Thank, thank, and thank some more
Email, note, phone, in person.
Share your successes
26. The importance of gratitude
Thank, thank, and thank some more
Email, note, phone, in person.
Share your successes
Give credit where it’s due
27. Using the Mentoring Network
database
TerrierLink
(myWofford)
Create account or login
Mentoring Network
Enter password
Search
LinkedIn
Contact
Hinweis der Redaktion
ThankExplain programCareer Services resource for career development/prof skills. Faculty resource for theory, principles of liberal arts disciplines.Staff/faculty don’t always have practical knowledge for informed decisions.Best source is a professional in field.Alumni resource because of Wofford connection.100 immediately stepped forward. Number will grow.Organized into a searchable online database.
Will cover in next 25 minutes.Career Services doesn’t have experience with every profession; we also don’t have experience with all of these mentors. Assume intelligent, accomplished, well-meaning until we hear otherwise. I’ll be checking in to see how it’s going. Need feedback from you.You’ll be doing the interacting and choosing your own mentorTo help, here’s what you should look for.
Coach – Experience in the field or school. Retired is fine. Find out their experience in TerrierLink/LinkedIn.Role Model – Positive/enthsiastic about field. Honest. Willing to give you truth about job outlook, your skills, etc.Interested – returns contact w/in 3-5 days. Takes time. Listens. Wants to know you.
Parent: has a duty to child. Mentor doesn’t. Help you succeed, but don’t wake up every day thinking about you.Spouse: Not married to mentor. Okay to have multiple mentors. Mentor for different career options, different stages in career process.Friend: Best friends cut you slack. Mentors don’t. Make it clear you value their advice and time by putting it to use or they’ll cut you loose.Assistant: Mentor doesn’t work for you. Do your homework about a profession, graduate degree or school. Know what you want their help with and know why you want it. Make it easy for them to help you.Cheerleader: Cheerleaders focus on positive. Coaches help you get better. Learn how to accept constructive criticism. Do not going into this program expecting to get a job/internship. Not a mentors job. Take this seriously. Expressly forbidden. Sign statement.
YES: advice re: job like? Skills? What’s enjoyable? What’s challenging? How to get into the job? Regardless of you major or your class year.YES: advice re: schools, programs of study, courses, application letters, interviews.NO: Mentor not there to counsel you about what you “should” do or to help you find a direction. That’s what we do in Career Services. Come see us.
Prepare: You need to have knowledge of industry/graduate programs/schools first. Don’t say “What do I need to know about banking?” A GREAT PLACE TO GET THAT INFO IS VAULT.Define: What do you want to know? What are your goals? Work with mentor to set reasonable goals. Both know what to expect. HERE’S AN EXAMPLE OF A MESSAGE THAT IS CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YO U NEED AND THE TIME FRAME IN WHICH YOU NEED IT.Communicate: Be courteous. Follow up. Clear about next steps. Questions? We’re here to help.Honest: if you don’t understand, ask. If the mentor can’t help, end relationship. Find tactful way. We can help.Reliable: Do what you say you’re going to do (email, homework, follow-up.) Builds credibility. Right thing to do. Positive: Will get feedback. Learn to take constructive criticism. Put it to use.
Mentors busy. Taking their time to help. Not getting paid. Thank them for everything they do. Every time they do it.No excuses for not doing it via one of these methods, but a handwritten note will make you stand out.When good things happen for you as a result of the relationship, share those successes with your mentor. Their reward is knowing they’ve made a difference.Lot of people will help you in your life. Don’t be the kind of person who takes that for granted. Thank the people who help along the way. Scott’s blog: blogs.wofford.edu/cpe
Show them the databaseQuestions?Sign paperContact me if any problems, questions. Please respond to feedback. Only way we have of knowing if this is working.
