Multiple Mentoring Moments

When you first begin your mentoring experience and are "learning the ropes" of mentoring, you will most likely hold to the set guidelines given you, including when and how often to meet. The CareerPassport Program suggests that you meet at least once a month for an hour each time, but we also encourage you to look for additional "mentoring moments", outside of the one hour a month guideline.

Recently, the International Mentoring Associations Magazine, Connect, published an article, Multiple Mentoring Moments by Allison E. McWilliams, Director of the Mentoring Resource Center at Wake Forest University. In the article, Dr. McWilliams states that,

“Just as there are many different types of learners, we have also learned over the past few years that there are opportunities to have other kinds of mentoring interactions, mentoring moments, if you will. These mentoring moments do not require the same kind of investment on the part of the mentor, but can still have considerable impact on the mentee.”

As a possible mentoring moment you may want to send your mentee an email about a life experience you had that relates to what they’re currently studying, or you could give them some feedback on something you discussed in a previous meeting with them. You might be surprised on how much impact one email can have. Other ideas might include sending them a thank you card, or calling them on the phone.

One mentoring moment you might consider is inviting your mentee to a business lunch or dinner. This will give your mentee the opportunity to interact with other business professionals, and even though it may only be a one-time interaction, your mentee will have the opportunity to connect with other business professionals to expand their network.

No matter what the mentoring moment may be, Dr. McWilliams suggests that all mentoring moments should have four things:

·        Structure – Mentoring expectations, goals, tools available, and other resources should be clear to both parties.

·         Collaborative Partnerships – As you receive mentoring requests from CareerPassport Students, be sure to think of ways in which you could collaborate with your potential partner. The best collaborative partnerships are ones in which both parties have an open mind and an equal amount to give to the relationship.

·         Interpersonal Interaction – Even though many college students enjoy using technology to communicate, texts, emails, etc. they also crave interpersonal interaction as well. Even if it’s just for a short 15 minutes, meeting face to face helps create trust, and will foster a deeper relationship between mentee and mentor.

·         Assess for Success – Giving your mentee feedback throughout the mentoring relationship, and assessing where they are at with regards to their mentoring goals will help them know where they need to go and what they need to do to achieve success. It is also important to get feedback from your mentee as well. Let them assess how you did as a mentor, and use their feedback to help you improve for your next mentee.

Look for ways to have multiple mentoring moments, and remember the four parts to any successful mentoring relationship. Also, be sure to get feedback from your current mentees. Ask them what you could do better, and help make it a safe environment for them where they can tell you their honest opinion.

References: McWilliams, Allison E. “Multiple Mentoring Moments.” Connect Magazine. N.p., 11 2013. Web 20 Nov. 2013 http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1108653809372-19/CONNECT+Volume+2.pdf.