Suggested Mentorship Activities
The following can be used as a guide.
There are examples for mentor/mentees whom live in close proximity to one another and also for those who live far apart.
Getting to Know Each Other
- Initial email from mentee to mentor will be sent within 1 week of match announcement.
- Introduction and sharing of backgrounds, goals, and interests.
- Mentor should share their career path after graduation.
- Set expectations for each other including communication goals and preferences.
Professional Development and Preparing for the Workforce
- Watch the same webinar on a common interest and discuss afterwards.
- Attend a lecture together.
- Create a list of potential professional organizations to join. Discuss the pros and cons of joining.
- Review one another’s resumes and cover letters and discuss.
- Conduct a mock interview (in-person, video call, phone).
- Have mentee job shadow the mentor.
- Discuss books to read to prepare for the real world.
- Discuss skills needed in the workplace and handling difficult situations in the workplace.
- Explore job seeking search engines together and discuss potential job possibilities and the skills needed for each. Talk about how mentee can seek out additional skills while in degree program.
- How to choose where to work.
- How to navigate difficult conversations or situations in the workplace.
Current Student Needs
- Discuss potential courses that would be useful in the area of employment mentee is seeking.
- Research interests and future dissertation plans.
- Discuss internship opportunities.
- Mentor may provide professional network contacts if applicable.
- Discuss pros and cons of next stages of life (ex. continuing education or going into workforce).