Mentorship Program

Why partner with a mentor?
A mentorship relationship offers the mentee the opportunity to develop and enhance professional and communication skills, connect academics and career, explore new ideas and areas of interest, and build a professional network. In addition, the mentee can receive honest and constructive feedback, advice on how to integrate education, career and one’s faith, and gain perspective on long-term career planning.

Mentee Expectations

• After the introductory meeting in September, schedule monthly meetings with your mentor in October, November, February, March, and April. (December, January, May - optional)
• Take ownership and demonstrate an interest and commitment in your own personal and professional development. Show enthusiasm and appreciation by making the mentorship a high priority.
• Invest time and energy to the partnership and be fully committed to it.
• Create specific goals for the mentorship.
• Be committed to carrying out agreed-upon goals.
• Discuss your needs and expectations with your mentor.
• Come prepared for each meeting and be ready to learn.
• Be open to suggestions and feedback, even if it leads you out of your comfort zone.
• Keep your mentor informed of your progress toward your goals.
• Having a mentor is a privilege - work hard to take full advantage of the opportunity. Acknowledge and express appreciation for your mentor’s time, efforts and counsel.
• Honor confidentiality and respect appropriate boundaries.
• Keep conversations positive and professional.

The Mentorship Program

Why be a mentor?
A mentorship relationship offers the opportunity to foster the development of a USF student and enhance professional and communication skills, connect academics and career, explore new ideas and areas of interest, and assist your mentee in building a professional network. Share your expertise through advice on how to integrate education, career and one’s faith, provide honest and constructive feedback, and share perspective on long-term career planning.

The Mentorship Program

Meeting Schedule
Introductory meetings will occur in September. After the initial introduction, pairs will set their own monthly meeting times from October through April.

A Guide to the First Conversation
Initially, you might feel intimidated, especially if this is the first time you have had a mentor. Remember that the mentor shares a mutual interest in the success of the partnership and is excited to help you. The most important thing in the first conversation is to introduce yourself and build rapport. Before the meeting, think about what you want to share with your mentor and be prepared to talk about the information you wrote on your mentee application form. Consider talking briefly about your family, hometown, USF experience, hobbies, etc. In addition, think about some ways you can learn about your mentor. For example: Ask your mentor to tell you about their work, and ask about the highlights of their time at USF.

Questions/Discussion Topics for Future Meetings

Job Description

• Please describe a typical day on the job.
• What is the title of the person you report to?
• What types of problems do you face in your job?
• What are the most satisfying and the most frustrating parts of your work?
• What are the trends in your industry and how will they affect careers?

Personal Experience

•  What are some transitions you have made in your life?
• What do you wish you had known before you started your first job?
• Tell me about some influential people in your life.
• What is the best piece of advice you have received about life, work, school, faith?

Advancement

• How did you prepare for your job?
• What do you recommend for a person interested in this occupation?
• If you could start all over again, what would you do differently?
• What additional education/degrees/training are required in this field?
• What are the professional organizations in this field?

Lifestyle

• What are the pressures you have to manage?
• How does this job affect your personal life? For example, what is expected of you outside of normal working hours?

Career Conversations

•  Discuss your mentor’s talents, skills and interests.
• Discuss the mentor’s educational background and the ways it has helped in their work.
• Discuss organizational cultures.
• Discuss how individual and personal values impact career choices.
• Discuss a current event or issue in your field.
• Discuss the transition from school to work.