What do mentors need to do at the outset?
We will need you to provide your photo and a bio, and (optionally) specify any particular characteristics that might be relevant to mentees (e.g. gender, race, disability, socioeconomics).
Terms of engagement
Mentees are asked to confirm that they will not use the programme for job-hunting or sales. Mentors should not use it for recruitment. Beyond that, though, the programme is intended to be flexible. Once a mentee has selected a mentor and we have put you in touch, it is for the mentor/mentee pair to decide how they want to use the relationship:
- you could have a single session or decide to make it a longer-term relationship;
- meetings could be virtual or face-to-face;
- mentoring could be traditional or two-way to include 'reverse' mentoring (where the more experienced party also seeks insights from the less experienced party).
We encourage new pairs to set up a one hour initial meeting (with the mentee taking the lead). Remember to discuss and agree whether to repeat.
We will contact you both to ask how the session went (and whether you want to remain part of the programme and open to new connections); but we will not get involved in the mentoring relationship beyond facilitating the connection.
What does being a mentor entail?
The goal is a Small Commitment with High Impact. An effective mentoring relationship may require just 3 or 4 hours, spread over several months. Unless you choose otherwise, it is naturally an informal, topic-based, conversation without assignments, deadlines, or reporting. Any preparation or homework required to make meetings more valuable is likely to fall on the mentee - the mentor's role is to be generous with your attention, and willing to share relevant experience and contacts.
Mentor/mentee pairs may opt to incorporate reverse mentoring (whereby the mentor receives, as well as offering, insights and advice) in a two-way mentoring relationship, or they may prefer a more traditional approach. It is worth being explicit about whether there is appetite for reverse mentoring from the outset to avoid confusion or awkwardness.
What does being a mentee entail?
With this programme, you get to select the mentor (or mentors) with whom you would like to connect. You can arrange an initial meeting with several, or just with one. It is for you and your mentor to agree how to structure meetings (online or in person), the frequency and focus of an ongoing mentoring relationship, and whether the relationship involves two-way mentoring or just traditional mentor-mentee mentoring.
When you tell us that you have selected a mentor with whom you would like to connect, we will confirm the mentor is happy to go ahead and then put you in touch. You should take the lead in arranging your first meeting. We don't think our mentees will need to be reminded to behave professionally and respect the time and goodwill of mentors.
Do prepare for the meeting by considering what you would like to get out of it. Being clear about your expectations will also help your mentor help you. Make sure you are both clear whether the relationship is to include any 'reverse' mentoring.
Don't use mentoring relationships you make under this programme for marketing, or to look for work (seeking advice about your career is fine).
How long is a typical session?
Typically, a session would last one hour (although mentor/mentee pairs can agree to do things differently), providing a focused learning opportunity for the mentee.
How should a mentee prepare for a session with a mentor?
For an hour‐long mentoring session, pre‐think the conversation, deciding what you wish to learn from the mentor. Prepare questions, areas for feedback, and requests for support. Have 2 or 3 sentences about your career goals ready to tell mentors when they ask.