7 Ways to get back to basics

We hope you had a great summer! As we get back in the swing of things, here are some things you can do to get back to your mentoring routine:

  • Setting goals with your mentee at the beginning of the relationship is critical because it gives direction to the relationship and informs you in how to help the mentee.
  • If your mentee doesn’t know his/her goals, this can be your first mentoring moment. You can ask questions such as “What made you sign up for the mentoring program?” “What are your specific concerns and questions right now?” or simply “How can I help you?”
  • Remember, goal setting can be a process, so make a point to check-in and ask the mentee if his/her priorities are changing or evolving.
  • Stick to the decision you made with your mentee on how and when you will communicate with each other. Renegotiate as needed.
  • If the mentee is unresponsive at any point in the relationship, initiate contact. Some students will be overwhelmed by how much they are doing and forget to contact you.
  • If your mentee doesn’t respond to you after multiple attempts, please contact tdix@teammates.org
  • Ask thoughtful questions about the mentee’s interests, experiences and background.
  • Follow up on any important steps the student has taken, such as a job interview or a leadership experience, and ask what he/she learned.
  • Be an active listener by feeding back what the mentee says, avoiding interrupting, and showing interest in your voice and posture.
  • Avoid giving quick solutions. Ask the mentee what he/she is thinking and help him/her process his/her own ideas.
  • Make suggestions of things the student might try, for example, “Have you looked into…” or “Something I found helpful when I was at …” versus “You should…” or “You need to…”
  • Remember, often times people will not do what we say, so don’t get discouraged if your mentee does not heed your advice.
  • Telling your mentee about yourself and your experiences builds trust and rapport.
  • Think about how you have learned from your mistakes and how your mentee can learn from them.
  • Share your lessons learned during college and beyond with your mentee.
  • Encourage your mentee to take risks. They may need a little push, but it will help them in the long run.
  • Remember, students have much to learn from a professional like you. 
  • Offer career or life experiences that might be helpful. 
  • It may be difficult to find the time to talk or meet with your mentee, so schedule your next conversation at the end of each meeting.
  • Keep the relationship a priority and ask your mentee to do the same.
  • If you are unable to meet in person schedule a virtual meeting.