Everything You Need To Know For Mentors

Everything You Need To Know For Mentors

Letter of Welcome Dear Mentor, Sept 2016 We would like to welcome you to the Duquesne University Alumni Mentor Program. This initiative was developed to respond to a need for more students to benefit from the guidance of successful alumni on issues of professional development. The program is a University-wide partnership between the undergraduate colleges and the Offices of Alumni Relations, Career Services, and Advancement, who co-sponsor the program. As you may know, the program has several goals, including: Good bonding between Mentor and Mentee Lasting mentor relationships Mentor and Mentee as spoke people to promote the program and encourage others to apply Students understand their future direction Career exposure and real world experiences for the student Employed leaders within their fields to raise the profile of the University Campus wide, collective mentoring program Creating stronger Alumni at the University Recruit high quality incoming classes We have developed this Mentor Guide in order to facilitate a successful program, and to support the mentoring pairs in establishing strong and positive relationships. We hope you will find it helpful in deciding whether to be a mentor and useful if you do choose to participate. Thank you for your interest and involvement in this exciting initiative. We are confident it will prove beneficial to all who participate, to the organizations they are part of, and to Duquesne University. Sincerely, Kallie Crawford Director of the Duquesne University Alumni Mentor Program 2

Table of Contents What the Mentoring Program is................................................ page 4 Program Description Defining Mentoring Program Goals What the Program is Not How to Become a Mentor..................................................... page 5 Eligibility Application Process Selection and Pairing Mentoring Partnership Plan and Agreement What You Can Expect If You Become a Mentor.................................... page 6 Testimonials If You Become a Mentor: Benefits, Responsibilities, Criteria for Participation Phases of the mentoring Relationship Topics that Might Arise as Part of Mentoring Conversations Guidelines / Tips for the Mentoring Relationship Mentoring Program Forms....................................................page 11 Mentoring Program Application (SAMPLE) Mentoring Partnership Agreement Form (SAMPLE) Contact Us..................................................................page 16 3

What the Duquesne University Mentoring Program Is Program Description Now more than ever, it is critical for students to gain a perspective from outside the classroom and network with professionals who share the same Duquesne values. The Duquesne University Alumni Mentor Program is designed to provide a meaningful way for alumni and students to connect. The program was developed in response to an identified need for students to benefit from the guidance of successful alumni. Through the program, experienced, insightful, and trusted alumni serve as guides and mentors for these students. The program is completely voluntary and aims to encourage and support early and ongoing professional success. A current Duquesne University student will be paired with a Duquesne University alumnus working in a field that is in line with the students major and course of study. Mentoring Program Goals Defining Mentoring: Mentoring is a professional relationship between a student and an alum in which an experienced person assists another in developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the less-experienced person s professional and personal growth. Relationships will differ, however, according to the needs and goals of each mentor/mentee agreements developed between the pair. However, in general, the relationship is one that: Is voluntary Is based on a full understanding of the purpose of and expectations for the relationship The goal of this program is to give Duquesne University students and alumni the opportunity to come together, to learn from each other, to network, to grow, and to develop personal and professional skills. This program will give students the change to learn more about their desired career from an experienced professional who was once in their shoes at Duquesne. Students will be given advice and help to when identifying personal. Professional, and academic goals. Our Expectations of the Program: To help more students reach their full potential as effectively and quickly as possible To increase the level of professional readiness of our mentees To cultivate productive professional relationships among mentor and mentee To facilitate the development of appropriate skills related to professional development To retain talented students through mentoring involvement by alumni To expand the awareness and practice of mentoring on the Duquesne campus To provide students with a networking and professional development opportunity To help student transition from backpack to briefcase To keep alumni engaged with Duquesne University What the Program is Not: The mentoring program is not intended to be: Therapy A guarantee of employment, advancement, or promotion A contract between Duquesne and either participant or between the participants themselves 4

How to Become a Mentor: Eligibility Any alum of Duquesne University is eligible to participate as a mentor. There is a rolling admission for the Mentors. Although every effort will be made to provide a mentor for all interested students, a suitable mentee may not be available necessitating a delay in matching, or inability to match, every potential mentor. We simply ask that you can commit to a one-year academic commitment to your mentee. Application Process To become a mentor: 1. Update your Resume 2. Complete the application (sample on page 11) on our website at www.duq.edu/alumnimentor Selection and Pairing Once our office has received the completed application our office will: 1. Review your application to facilitate an appropriate match 2. Notify you when you have been paired with someone Mentoring Partnership Agreement (sample on page 14) Once our office contacts you to inform you of your pairing: 1. The mentee is responsible for initiating contact with their mentor 2. Then it is the pairs responsibility to schedule a time for a first meeting a. To assist scheduling the first meeting you should use the Mentoring Partnership Agreement form to help guide your conversation and establish goals for your work together. 5

What you can expect if you become a mentor: Testimonials Since joining the Duquesne Alumni mentor program, I have had the unique opportunity of being an out of state mentor to my mentee, Leslie Keegan. While I was a bit skeptical at first about how much of an impact I could have being that I m located in Florida, I quickly realized that through a mutually agreed upon plan and great communication practices with Leslie, we have been able to quell any concerns that I initially had. I highly recommend the Alumni Mentor Program to any former Dukes that reside locally, or in my case, out of state. By becoming a mentor, you have an opportunity to create a lasting impact on our current student population. As a mentor, you help to embody what it truly means to be a Duquesne alumni and give back to the community by being a stanchion of support and professional knowledge for current students that often times have a variety of questions as they prepare to embark on their career journey following graduation. - Mentor Alex is very talented and has different ideas and problem solving skills that she has taught me, which I have been able to apply to my business. Some of her strong suits are marketing, public relations, and technology, which I found invaluable since when I was educated at Duquesne, we didn t have those programs or type of curriculum. I would recommend this program to everyone, it s a great relationship building and networking experience. By putting the effort in you really get a lot out of the program. - Mentor When I was first paired with Brad, I was a bit nervous about starting a mentor relationship with someone that was out of state. However, the distance was not an issue, in fact being so far away has allowed us to create a communication plan where we speak once a week. Through our weekly calls, Mr. Frank has helped me to prep for interviews, edited my resume and given me constructive feedback. Learning from someone who is in the same field, has been extremely beneficial. I am now aware of what it takes to cut it in the real world. This program has given me not only a great mentor, but the confidence to move forward on my career path. I would suggest this program to every undergraduate at Duquesne, after my invaluable experience. Mentee Before our first conversation, I was pretty nervous to step out of my comfort zone and try to find myself an internship or a career even, but Bill has helped me so much. He has truly focused my path and helped to take me to where I want to go. When we talk we engage in conversations about what projects each of us are working on and what steps I should be taking to get to where I want to be in my career. I have taken so much out of my experience with my mentor. Mentee Making the decision to be partnered with a mentor was one of the best decisions I have made for my path through school. Knowing I have someone to turn to that has already successfully completed the educational path I am on has been very helpful to me. My mentor is always looking for ways to help me, whether that be through telling my future professors about how excited I am to enter the professional phase of my program or to simply offer advice on how to succeed in my different classes. -Mentee 6

If you become a mentor: Benefits Responsibilities Mentoring a Duquesne student is a valuable way to stay connected with the Duquesne community while making a difference to a new generation of students. Mentors reap many rewards including personal satisfaction and fulfillment, profession and personal rejuvenation, enhanced creativity, and improved interpersonal commination and leadership skills. By making the generous decision to mentor a Duquesne University student, you will be giving back to your alma mater, improving your profession, and making a difference for a future colleague. In addition, you will learn about the Duquesne of today while reconnecting with the University and expanding your professional network. As a Duquesne Alumni Mentor you are a guide, friend, and resource who shares your Duquesne education and professional experience to help pave the way for students to succeed at Duquesne and beyond. You can offer support, guidance, encouragement, and useful information. You are expected to: Your mentee will contact you to set up the first meeting, at which both of you should reach a clear understanding of what you expect from each other Formulate your goals for the mentoring relationship Be available and make time to speak/meet with your mentee as frequently as you can Respond in a timely fashion to your mentee s request for meetings Be present and set aside other commitments during your time with your mentee Be engaged and actively listen to your mentee and respect their point of view Help your mentee grow in both their personal and professional lives Be relatable and share your own experiences with your mentee 7

Phases of the mentoring Relationship The mentoring program is intended to last a full academic year. In the course of the year, you should expect to meet several times a semester, to maintain contact by phone, email, or Skype/FaceTime and when possible to attend events sponsored or suggested by the program, including relevant information and development resources. Your conversations, over the course of the mentoring relationship, will generally fall into the following phases: Phase 1: Getting Acquainted During this phase you will: Establish goals and a mentoring plan Clarify your roles Explore any concerns Phase 2: Working Together During this phase you will: Share expertise Generate ideas and solutions Calibrate and re-negotiate your initial mentoring plan Work toward accomplishing goals Celebrate successes Phase 3: Saying Goodbye or Extending the Relationship During this phase you will: Evaluate the experience Decide whether to end or extend the relationship Agree on how to make the transition Acknowledge and celebrate the work and the relationship 8

Topics that Might Arise as Part of Mentoring Conversations Goals Set reasonable goals for the mentee as an individual but also for the partnership If your mentee doesn t know their goals, you can ask questions such as: What made you sign up for the mentoring program? What about my resume stood out to you? How can I help? Career Discuss your educational background and the role of educational preparation in your field. Schedule a visit for your mentee to shadow you, if appropriate Critique the mentee s resume and/or cover letter Lead your mentee through a mock interview Discuss proper telephone etiquette Offer guidance on where to best look for jobs/internships in your field Review applications Introduce your mentee to colleagues or other contacts Attend professional meetings together Talk about your first job Discuss how to dress for success Learn how to write an adequate thank you note School Discuss how you worked with your advisor Suggest what courses where most beneficial and what to steer clear off Determine reasons for choosing the major and what their plans are to do with their degree Identify campus organization that could be beneficial for the mentee to join Personal Ask questions about the mentee s interests, experiences, and background Identify strengths and weakness Share how you have balanced personal life and a career Discuss what you would have done differently at Duquesne if you had to do it over Talk about how to manage personal and professional challenges Explain how to obtain health insurance, how to file taxes, how to balancing a checkbook, how to sign up for a credit card, and how to make investments Have an informed discussion on politics 9

Guidelines / Tips for the Mentoring Relationship There isn t a one-size-fits-all approach to the mentoring process. However, some general guidelines and tips can facilitate the process and ensure greater success of the mentee/mentor relationship. Tips for the Mentors Exchange CVs with your mentee to stimulate discussion about career paths and possibilities Prepare topics to discuss prior to meeting Ask about and encourage accomplishments and provide informal feedback on strengths and areas of improvement. Do things together Get to know your mentee on a personal level Tell stories Offer perspective Give advice Find shared experiences Be yourself Have fun 10

Mentoring Program Forms: 11

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Please visit www.duq.edu/alumnimentor to fill out our Mentor Application. 13

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Please visit www.duq.edu/alumnimentor to fill out our Mentor Agreement Form. 15

Contact Us: If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office at: Kallie Crawford Director of the Duquesne University Alumni Mentor Program 412 Administration Building 600 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15282 412.396.1476 alumnimentor@duq.edu If your mentee doesn t respond to you after multiple attempts, please contact our office. Thank You Note: We want to extend our deepest gratitude for your participation in the Duquesne Alumni Mentor program. This program would not be possible without your commitment and enthusiasm to connect with Duquesne students and your willingness to share your life and experience. 16