Guidelines for Mentees

 

THE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP

Great relationships can empower great careers at all levels. Wherever you are in your career, mentoring can provide an opportunity to learn and grow, whether you are a mentor or a mentee. There needs to be a collaborative effort and joint accountability about what is being learned, how learning can be best communicated and evaluated to create a successful learning outcome.

Development in a mentoring relationship means identifying and encouraging growth. As you move forward with your mentor, please remember to keep your professional and personal development goals at the center of your conversations and shared activities.

WHAT IS MENTORING?

Mentoring is a powerful personal development and empowerment tool by which one person facilitates the development of another by sharing known resources, expertise, values, skills, perspectives, attitudes and proficiencies. It allows the mentee to build skills and knowledge while working toward attaining career goals. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for the mentor to further enhance skills and knowledge areas through exposure to fresh perspectives.

BENEFITS OF MENTORING

Mentoring brings value to everyone involved.  Mentees have an opportunity to gain wisdom from an experienced professional. Mentors have an opportunity to invest in someone who can benefit from their skilled guidance. Both mentors and mentees can learn from one another. There is much potential to transform lives. 

WORKING WITH YOUR MENTOR:

– Early on, set expectations.  Work with your mentor to confirm a monthly schedule or a schedule that is mutually agreed upon.
– Communicate consistently with your mentor. Communicate immediately if there is a change in the schedule.
– You may choose to have a working agenda for the topics during your meetings, phone calls or emails.
– Please remember that the relationship between you and your mentor is professional and that communications should remain confidential.

SUGGESTIONS FOR INTERACTING WITH YOUR MENTOR

– Ask for advice and welcome constructive criticism. Oftentimes people are hesitant to offer advice when they do not know you very well. Be as specific as possible when asking for advice. A good mentor will offer both constructive criticism and suggestions for your work, so be open to both.
– Be considerate of each other’s time. Please be considerate. Return e-mails promptly and be on time if you schedule meetings. If you have agreed to meet at a specific date and time, and find that you can’t attend, be sure to let your mentor know with plenty of notice.
– Listen to what your mentor has to say. Mentors, having been there, have valuable insight into what you may face in your future career. You will discover that your mentor’s information is beneficial for the present and in the future. Absorb the advice your mentor has to offer on all aspects of your career.

POINTERS FOR MENTEES
Watch for role models.
– Always be observing others. Ask yourself, “Will their style work for me? Do I want to do this?”
– Ask your mentor how to handle certain career situations and if appropriate, use the responses as a guide when you are faced with similar issues.

Be willing to depart from your comfort zone and be open to learning new things.
– Recognize that bringing out different behaviors leads to greater self-discovery and understanding of what might work 

Be open to getting feedback from your mentor.
– Feedback helps us learn and grow. Do not be afraid to initiate conversations that will give you this much needed information.

Make the most of your mentoring time together.
– Set goals, desired outcomes, and prepare a list of questions to obtain the information you need.
– Ask yourself key questions before each interaction in preparation:
– “What are my goals at work?”
– “What have I learned from a recent situation?”
– “What situations are coming up that might be challenging and why?”
– “What good/interesting news do I have to share?”
– Listen actively. Take notes.
– Go out of your way to schedule time to meet with your mentor –be mindful of where and when it is most convenient for them.

Follow-up with your mentor on results.
– Try some of your mentor’s suggestions and share the results. Identify something in particular that was significant to you, how you tried the suggestion and share the result of your action.
– Let your mentor know you appreciate their time and the ways in which their advice is helpful to you.

Share career-related information with your mentor.
– Share interesting articles, sites and books you’re reading with your mentor. Be sure to make your mentor aware if you are involved in a new technology or industry news you think would be of interest. 

BRINGING THE RELATIONSHIP TO A CLOSE
– Your role as a mentee is voluntary. The Licensing International Mentoring Program is a yearly program.
– If the mentorship is ending, bring it to closure. Thank your mentor for the chance to participate. Perhaps discuss with your mentor what you have gained.

If for any reason you feel you need to discuss your mentoring relationship or the mentoring program, please contact Maria Ungaro mungaro@licensing.org. We are here to help enhance your mentor-mentee relationship experience.