MENTEE GUIDELINES
This page is designed to be a reference guide. We recommend that you read the information page for mentors as well so you are aware of your mentor's role.
1. PURPOSE AND GOAL OF THE EMPOWERING MENTORSHIP PROGRAM ACCOUNTING CLUB
The purpose and goal of the Empowering Mentorship Program Accounting Club is to provide an opportunity for mentees to develop a mentoring relationship with firm representatives who can offer advice; provide a window into today's business realities within a specific industry sector; share experiences and provide career guidance.
2. PREPARING FOR YOUR ROLE IN THE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP
Your mentor will be giving his/her time to share experiences, perspectives and approaches to developing personally and professionally. He/she will assist you in achieving your goals by providing feedback on issues such as reviewing your resume, and assessing your strengths and weaknesses. You should actively seek feedback from your mentor and be receptive to the feedback you are offered. Be as specific as possible when asking for information, ideas and suggestions.
2.1 Self-Evaluation: Clarify Your Interests and Needs
Before meeting your mentor, you should start by first undertaking a critical self-evaluation. For example:
- What are the personal and professional goals I have for this mentoring relationship?
- What would I like to learn from this experience?
- What are questions or concerns I have about career?
- What are my strengths?
- What skills do I need to develop?
2.2 Recognize the Value and Limits of the Relationship
Like any relationship, this match involves an active process in which the uniqueness, individuality and expertise of each member of the pair needs to be respected. Your mentor will offer you lessons from his/ her experience, information, and suggestions on how to approach and solve various issues. Be open to the information you are offered. Recognize that some advice may seem irrelevant to you at this time, but you may find it useful later on. Other suggestions may not fit your particular personality style or approach. It will ultimately be your choice as to how you will weave the insights gained into your own evolving style.
3. YOUR FIRST MEETING
It can be helpful to structure your first meeting because both you and your mentor may begin the relationship with high expectations and some uncertainty about how to proceed. For example, you might consider the following outline:
- Share your educational/professional background and purpose for participating in the program.
- Ask about your mentor's work experience and discuss with him/her ways in which these intersect with your interests.
- Identify ways your mentor can support you.
- Agree upon the duration, frequency and length of each of your meetings and where you will meet.
- Summarize key learning experiences and express appreciation for the meeting.
3.1 Setting Goals
Based on your self-evaluation, develop three to five specific goals for your participation in the mentoring program. As with all goal setting, you do not need to strictly adhere to the goals you initially agree to; however, giving some thought and advanced planning can keep the relationship productive and worthwhile for both parties.
- Share your goals for your participation in the mentoring program.
- Provide additional clarity and background about your career goals and aspirations.
- Working together, finalize the list of goals that your mentor feels he/she can help you develop during this experience.
- Create and complete an action plan for your mentoring relationship.
- Discuss when and how you will get feedback on your development.
3.2 Other Discussion Topics
Mentors have varied levels of experience in a diverse range of industries. A mentor's role varies with each mentee; mentees may seek advice, support, or guidance on personal, academic or professional issues. Some possible topics for discussion include:
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4. MANAGING THE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP
You should take the responsibility for setting up meetings with your mentor. While face-to-face meetings are suggested, you can also use e-mail, phone or instant messaging as methods to maintain communication with your mentor. Be sure to show up for scheduled meetings on time. For each meeting, be prepared with a prioritized list of topics or questions that you want to discuss. If necessary, offer to reschedule a meeting, shorten it, or handle your questions over e-mail. Be flexible as your mentor is volunteering his/her own time, but remain committed to achieving your goals from the relationship.
4.1 Clarify Confidentiality
Some partnerships will feel a need for complete confidentiality in their relationship, others will not. It is critical that you and your mentor clarify the limits of confidentiality in your relationship.
As a participant of the Empowering Mentorship Program Accounting Club, you must adhere to the following confidentiality guidelines:
- Information shared by your mentor must not be discussed with anyone else.
- Your mentor's contact information must be kept confidential.
- You are not to solicit or expect your mentor to give or find you an internship or job.
- You are not to seek counsel from your mentor regarding academic problems such as difficulty with a faculty member. Such issues should be resolved directly with the Faculty.
* Mentees failing to respect these guidelines will be de-registered from the Empowering Mentorship Program Accounting Club.