Why join the IEEE MentorCentre? Mentees If you are an IEEE member who is a recent graduate entering the industry or are a few years into your career path but is looking for more guidance in a specific area, joining the IEEE MentorCentre is a great way for you to achieve your goals. Mentors see page 3 Benefits of entering into a mentoring relationship include: Access to a supportive mentor who can help you navigate critical career and educational decisions Exposure to a different perspective, which can help you see new opportunities Identification of gaps in your professional skill set Beginning a strong professional network that can help you for many years in your career In what situations can a mentor assist you? Building a professional or technical skill set Industry or specialization transitions Transition into management Determining continuing educational goals Dealing with new working environments Understanding new opportunities And many others Are you ready for a Mentoring relationship? Would you benefit from the guidance of another person in setting professional, educational, or career goals? Are you willing to both ask questions and share information to provide a two-way relationship with your mentor? Are you willing to consider new ideas suggested by your mentor? Are you ready to take the time, despite a busy schedule, to develop a mentoring relationship, which takes time, effort, and open communication? If your answers are yes, IEEE MentorCentre can help you connect with a mentor to help. 2
Mentors As an established member in your industry, you can show the ropes to young professionals who seek assistance in progressing along a career path. Mentoring with IEEE MentorCentre provides an opportunity for you to share your technical knowledge and skill, helping other success in their professional and education goals, and supports the engineer and technology professions. Mentoring another requires a willingness to share your professional experience and knowledge, as well as a readiness to listen and provide advice. However, being a mentor also provides you with benefits: Exposure to new talent Ongoing attention to your own career development Enhancement of coaching, leadership, and management skills Exposure to diverse individuals and benefits of differing viewpoints A way to build your professional network Are you ready to be a Mentor? Would you listen to your Mentee s needs and concerns? Would you help your Mentee define career, educational, and other professional goals? Would you openly share your professional and technical knowledge and skills? Would you offer constructive criticism to help your Mentee learn and progress? 3
Who can be an IEEE......Mentee? Prospective mentees must be IEEE Higher Grade members (above Student Member grade) who are, but not limited to: new professionals in their first or second job or considering entering graduate programs; recent graduates entering the professional work force for the first time; professional making a career move or career change; passionate for learning; willing to give time and effort to the mentoring partnership (a minimum of four hours per month is suggested); willing to identify and clarify their developmental goals; interested in learning from another professional who has been there ; willing to participate in an orientation session to learn guidelines, and tools of program and their...mentors? Prospective mentors must be IEEE Higher Grade members (above Student Member grade) who are, but not limited to: willing to give time and effort to the mentoring partnership (a minimum of four hours per month is suggested); able to communicate effectively with others; willing to share some career successes and failures; individuals who may be or have been executives, consultants, or in middle or upper management, or in research; individuals who may be or have been educators, entrepreneurs, or self-employed; individuals who may be or have been proven leaders offering inspiration and insight; willing to review an orientation session to learn guidelines, tools of program and the mentee, and the mentor s role and responsibilities. role and responsibilities as a mentee. 4
How/Where to Manage the Mentoring Relationship In person If the mentor and mentee are located in close proximity, in person meetings are the best way to get to know each other and build your relationship. Web Conference/Skype Using Web-based video/audio conferencing applications, several of which are free of charge, are reliable to build the mentoring relationship and provide visual in addition to audio contact. Teleconference Teleconferences are best once you have started your relationship, as the lack of visual contact makes for a less robust experience. E-Mail Written communication is best to provide brief updates, but is not a replacement for in person, web conference, or telephone contact. Social Media Using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are fast and easy methods of providing updates to continue the mentorship. 5
Expectations Mentor Important Tips! Mentee Express your capabilities and your capacity as a mentor early on Set expectations early Specify your goals at the start of the mentorship Be available for your mentee and reinforce your criteria for completion of mentorship Communicate frequently Initiate contact. Spend minimum 30 minutes a week Communicate honestly with your mentee Be honest, speak up Be upfront with your mentor of your ambitions and limitations Commit substantial amount of time for your membership Participate continuously Think outside the box, connect mentee with others in industry Get creative Provide alternate methods of development to your mentor Set aside time to understand your mentee Take time to know the other person Take time to get to know your mentor aside from mentorship Be reliable and consistent Be patient with mentee s development and progress as obstacles may arise Stay positive Understand that obstacles can arise and accept consequences of your own decisions 6
Mentoring Timeline Everyone s timeline will be different, based upon the goals of the relationship, but one example of a timeline is below. Introductions» 1 WEEK Mentor and Mentee have been designated Contact information and basic profiles have been exchanged Establish Goals» 1 WEEK Use a week to exchange, review, and finalize goals At least three goals should be designated for both the mentor and mentee Goals should have a general idea of duration and projected execution Execute Goals Over the course of 3 months, both the mentor and mentee work toward achieving their goals If goals need to be changed, this should be a discussion between the mentor and mentee Closing Relationship» 1 WEEK Take time to recap the mentoring relationship and goals Exchange final contact information Post-Mentoring Relationship Ensure that you complete the post-mentoring relationship survey to let IEEE know how things went 7
Mentoring Agreement 1. This form is just a guide, but is recommended to be filled out upon the first meeting between a mentor and mentee. 2. Jointly review and discuss all answers and reach agreement Regularly review this agreement to ensure that both the mentor and mentee are complying with what you agreed upon. Purpose of Mentorship Expectations of the Mentor Expectations of the Mentee How often will you meet? When and where will you meet? For how long? Who will be responsible for scheduling your meetings? How will problems be fixed if obstacles arise? When will the mentorship be fulfilled? Mentorship will focus around these three areas: 1. 2. 3. Additional Comments: Mentee Signature Date Mentor Signature Date 8