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The Mentor's Role
Mentoring is one of the most rewarding activities one can pursue. Mentoring relationships may be brief, addressing an immediate need, or they can last a lifetime.
What Do Mentors Do?
As a volunteer mentor, you will serve to fulfill the mission of the Alumni Mentor Program by connecting with alumni and/or students to support personal and professional growth.
You may connect with one or more mentees, based on your desired level of commitment.
The following tasks are basic services that volunteer mentors provide to mentees:
Listen to mentee needs, ideas, dreams and concerns;
Share experiences, knowledge, networks and pertinent professional expertise;
Celebrate mentee accomplishments; and
Protect confidence by respecting needs for both openness and privacy.
Ideally, volunteer mentors provide specific exercises, experiences and expertise to mentees. Individual mentors are not expected to provide all services, but the following list highlights the scope of what mentors may provide. These suggest a myriad of ways mentors can serve mentees.
Help define mentee career goals
Identify skill requirements
Suggest courses and internships
Expand career ideas
Introduce key individuals in field
Leverage existing networks
Suggest professional organizations
Explore volunteer opportunities
Share career-life balance experience
Review resumes & cover letters
Conduct informational interviews
Analyze job markets
Invite mentees to professional meetings
Identify future course(s) of study
Encourage job shadowing
Offer mock job interviews
Inspire other career development opportunities
When you begin service as a mentor, share your expertise and practical experience with your mentee and define what exercises you can successfully perform and what experiences may be most valuable. Together you can address specific career development tools and strategies that will help your mentee be successful.